A MAN who became frustrated when he wasn’t offered a hospital bed ended up in a police cell.

Blackburn magistrates heard Daniel Rice threw a computer monitor to the floor after he was told he wasn’t suitable for a bed.

Rice, 30, of Great Bolton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to damaging a monitor belonging to Royal Blackburn Hospital.

He was conditionally discharged for 12 months and ordered to pay £150 compensation. The offences pre-dated an appearance in court in May which resulted in a prison sentence.

Bilal Saeed, prosecuting, said Rice attended the hospital for a mental health assessment.

“That assessment deemed he wasn’t suitable for a bed on the mental health ward and he was asked to leave,” said Mr Saeed. “His attitude towards staff changed when that diagnosis was indicated. He picked up a computer monitor from the desk and threw it to the floor.”

Bill Rawstron, defending, said within days of the incident Rice had been taken into hospital for a 28 day assessment then he was sent to prison.

“If this matter had been before the court then it would not have altered the sentence,” said Mr Rawstron.

District Judge Alexandra Preston said she could understand Rice was frustrated but he could not behave in the way he did in hospital.

“It is upsetting for people waiting in hospital and the staff should not have to deal with it either,” she added.