bars for a violent outburst in which he assaulted a hospital worker.

Ronald Lindley, 38, of the Salvation Army shelter, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to assaulting Karen Durham, causing her bodily harm, and damaging a pair of eyeglasses on October 4 in Devonshire.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said Ms Durham was on duty at St. Brendan's when Lindley paid her a visit.

Lindley asked for his weekly $8 Government cheque, Sgt. Taylor said. But Ms Durham questioned him about his missed appointments.

Sgt. Taylor added that Lindley became abusive, kicking Ms Durham in the leg and punching her in the eye.

Lindley was eventually detained by St. Brendan's personnel and held for observations.

Duty counsel Kim Wilson said Lindley was being treated for schizophrenia at the time of the incident and his medication contributed to his behaviour.

"At the time he was receiving injections,'' Ms Wilson explained. "The side effects from this was increased violent episodes.'' She said since the incident doctors had changed Lindley's treatment, placing him on tablets.

"He was not completely himself,'' she said. "The medication had an effect on him.'' But upon reading a letter from a St. Brendan's doctor who stated that at the time of the incident Lindley knew his actions were wrong, Magistrate Edward King sentenced him to prison.

Lindley received a three-month prison sentence for assaulting Ms Durham and two months for damaging her glasses.

Both sentences will run concurrently.