A THUG who punched an A&E doctor in the face and spat at a police officer has been spared a jail sentence.

Harry Bedford was drunk when he started "punching and spitting at frontline staff during the pandemic”.

The incident happened at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton at the height of the coronavirus lockdown.

It came as the country recorded more than 1,000 people dying of the disease each day in January.

He knocked a doctor to the floor while “heavily intoxicated”, police said at the time.

Bedford appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court earlier this month where he admitted three counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

He was given a six-month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Court documents show Bedford was also in possession of cannabis during the incident.

The incident involved “punching and spitting at frontline staff during the pandemic” the court noted.

At the time, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cullimore said: "Attacking frontline workers who are carrying out their duties to keep the public safe is simply unacceptable.

“Our officers work extremely hard to protect the public through what has been a challenging time for everyone - and there is no excuse for this kind of behaviour.

“I am personally very grateful to our officers and NHS staff for the incredible work they carry out to look after local communities. Any reports of assaults against emergency workers will be dealt with robustly.”

Bedford, of Dyke Road, Brighton, was told to complete 30 rehabilitation sessions alongside unpaid work.

He must also pay £200 compensation to the victims in the case, medical consultants Justin Woolford and Paul Ransom, and PC Jack Mountstephen.