A Catford father-of-five punched a Lewisham Hospital support worker in the face after an argument over a push-bike.

Serial shoplifter William Scarville, 58, of Ardat Road, was found guilty yesterday (March 25) of punching Akin Ajawi at the hospital’s Ladywell Unit on September 5 last year.

Bromley Magistrates’ Court heard how Scarville became aggressive after being told that he wasn't allowed to take his bike into hospital with him, which he had borrowed from his son to visit a friend.

He directed his anger at Ladywell Unit head nurse David Haye, along with Mr Ajawi.

Mr Haye told the court: "He was very aroused and agitated and I could smell alcohol on his breath.

"He shouted some very personal insults at me and told me that my tummy was big enough to be stabbed in."

Mr Ajawi attempted to calm Scarville down but this made him more angry.

After Scarville shouted "Ebola" and "west Africa" at Mr Ajawi, he punched him in the face, knocking off his glasses.

Mr Ajawi said: "I felt humiliated, somebody I didn't know had beaten me up for no reason."

The alarm was sounded and Scarville was wrestled to the ground until he was handcuffed and taken to Lewisham police station.

Scarville, who chose to defend himself, claimed that staff at the Ladywell Unit had mistaken him for a psychiatric patient.

He said: "When I pushed the elevator button my hand was slapped away and when I turned round to see who it was all of them rushed me and pushed me to the floor."

Scarville claimed that he had severe pain in his kidneys after the incident and was urinating blood.

But magistrate David Stitt said: "We accept that there are inconsistencies in the witness reports but we've no doubt in our minds that Mr Scarville attacked Mr Ajawi in the manner described."

Scarville was found guilty of assault by beating and cleared of racially aggravated assault by beating. He will be sentenced on April 23.

Before the hearing, Scarville verbally abused a cleaner in the court lobby and a police officer for looking like 'butter wouldn't melt'.

In 2007, Scarville was given an indefinite Asbo for shoplifting in Lewisham and Catford.