A man who attacked staff at Macclesfield Hospital has avoided jail after magistrates received a letter from his dad.

Jonathan Keith Markey, 43, punched a porter and security guard during a visit to the hospital on October 2.

Then two weeks later the dad-of-three, who is battling alcoholism, brazenly walked out of B&M Bargains with a crate of beer before assaulting a policewoman.

At Stockport magistrates’ court Markey, of Sandwich Drive, Tytherington, admitted two charges of assault by beating, theft and assaulting a police constable and was facing a potential prison sentence. Magistrates received a ‘touching’ note from his father.

Instead they ordered a three month sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Sentencing Markey to an additional three month curfew and 25 days Rehabilitation Activity, Mayur Shah, chair of bench of magistrates, said: “We have read a very touching letter from your father. He has a family business which he wants you to get involved in to help you.

“You are 43, you need to make some serious decisions about your life.”

Eileen Rogers, prosecuting, said: “On October at 1.30am Carl Witham was working in security in the A&E department. He was sat with the defendant because doctors wanted him to stay for the results of blood tests.

“He was agitated and security tried to calm the defendant down. He then booted an internal door.

“A hospital porter, David Sanders, came to assist. The defendant then punched him in the nose. They both managed to restrain him but Mr Witham was punched in the ear.

“Then on October 18, Markey walked into B&M Bargains in Macclesfield and walked out with a crate of 18 cans of lager.

“Security followed him to a pub and found the beers discarded in a bin in a nearby alleyway.

“PC Kershaw attended and found Markey in the ladies toilet. He was put in a police van and became aggressive and swore, threatening to hit her.

“As she went to cuff him his arms flailed about and hit her in the jaw.”

The court heard that Markey, a bricklayer by trade, has 23 convictions for 43 offences, including assault.

Toby Wilbraham, defending, said: “He knows his behaviour was not acceptable and apologises.

“He has a long term drink problem. He drinks, offends, and then is abstinent for years. There is a sad pattern.”