A MAN has been jailed for six months and banned from a homeless support centre after he assaulted members of staff there.

Russell Loveland, 37, pleaded guilty right at the last minute at Winchester Crown Court to four assaults by beating even though a jury was waiting to try him.

He also admitted one count of criminal damage and another assault charge.

The court was told how he'd attacked members of staff at West View House in Hyde and even spat on them.

Loveland was late arriving to court as he'd been arrested the night before over a separate incident.

Recorder of Winchester, Judge Keith Cutler, handed Loveland six months and a restraining order to stay away from West View House and one of its staff members for five years.

“You cannot just go behaving your way always, drinking, fighting your own fights,” Mr Cutler said. “On top of that you're spitting on people. It's very cowardly and mean and something this court doesn't like. Had you been before me, and had the jury convicted you, you would be going to prison for many years.”