NORTH Kent Monster Raving Loony Party chief Lord Toby Jug has taken an overdose ahead of his sentencing for hitting his partner.

Lord Toby Jug, whose real name is Brian Borthwick, was due to appear at Dartford Magistrates' Court on September 21 after an earlier appearance last month where he pleaded guilty to common assault.

But the court was told Borthwick suffered from bipolar disorder and had been receiving treatment from mental health specialists when he took an overdose.

He is now in a Cambridgeshire hospital.

The 40-year-old was due to be sentenced after he hit his partner, Julie Smith, on the arm at their home in Highview, Vigo, on August 14.

Following his court appearance Borthwick revealed to News Shopper he had battled mood swings for many years following a troubled childhood and was diagnosed with manic depression three years ago.

He claims his medication for the condition changed two days before the incident to a tranquilizer which he says made him "aggressive and angry".

Miss Smith called the police after he struck her on the arm following an argument.