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Shirtless Adam Bell’s phlegm hit the officer’s arm when spat at him from the back of a patrol car after his arrest in Suffolk Street, Hendon.

Bell, 38, of Roker Avenue, Roker, also used some provocative and ‘disgusting’ swearing in the PC’s direction, a court heard.

Prosecutor Leanne Duffy said he then twice kicked the policeman on a leg while in custody – and followed up by kicking him on a knee.

She told magistrates in South Tyneside: “On Thursday, March 25 at 7.50pm, there were reports of a male and female arguing in the street.

“He was shirtless and staggering around and stunk of alcohol. The officers asked for information about him but he didn’t give it.

“They asked him to put on his shirt because it was a public area and he wasn’t clothed, but he continued to cause a scene.

“He told the officer to ‘shut up’ and swore. While he was in the back of the police car, he spat at the officer.

“A spit hood was put on him to prevent it from happening again.”

Ms Duffy added: “When he was taken into custody, he continued to be aggressive to the officer.

“He kicked the PC on his leg twice, and then again to a knee cap, causing him to limp in pain.”

Joanne Gatens, defending, said: “I’m not going to try to mitigate these offences, they are disgusting. His language was disgusting.

“Mr Bell recognises that through his guilty plea. He says that he is deeply embarrassed and ashamed by his behaviour.

“He has no recollection of the incident and was visibly embarrassed when told of it.”

Bell pleaded guilty to assault by beating of an emergency worker and being drunk and disorderly.

He was sentenced to an 18-month community order, with a requirement of 15 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service.

He must also take part in the Thinking Skills programme and abide by a 7pm to 7am electronically monitored 12-week curfew.

There were no court costs or victim surcharge, but he must pay the officer £180 compensation.

Drunken dad put in spit hood after 'disgusting' attack on police officer called to argument in Sunderland street