A Colchester motorist has been jailed for a total of four months for biting a police officer's hand.
The assault happened as four officers tried to arrest Barry Trotman, 30, after he failed to provide breath for analysis, Colchester magistrates heard on Friday.
Trotman, of Hickory Avenue, Greenstead, admitted the two offences, which occurred on June 4 in Colchester. He also admitted failing to provide a specimen of breath and failing to stop as required in Avon Way, Colchester, on August 26.
Kim Kennedy, mitigating, said the assault occurred during a struggle with his client. A purple mark was left on the officer's hand, but there were no teeth marks and the skin was not broken. The court heard that Trotman was trying to make a better life for himself.
The bench imposed an 18-month driving ban for failing to provide breath on June 4, although this will be cut to 14 months if he successfully completes a drink-drive rehabilitation scheme.
For the failure to provide breath on August 26 Trotman was fined £300 with one day in prison in lieu of payment, and was given a one-year driving ban to run concurrently. There was no separate penalty for failing to stop.
Published Monday, October 4, 2004
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