A DRUNK thug smashed his head through a glass window and spat on a police officer as he was arrested.

Ashley Hill, 28, had visited his ex-girlfriend at her flat in Carden Avenue, Brighton, but upon leaving realised he had forgotten to take some clothes.

He then tried to get back into the Hollingbury property and shouted for his ex, but received no answer so headbutted his way into the council-owned building on August 5.

He was spotted by a neighbour who called police and when officers arrived Hill looked down from a top floor with cuts on him, Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard.

Hill, of Taunton Road, Brighton, had knocked back seven pints of beer before going to the flat.

He became “evasive” when police entered the building and they said he appeared to be under the influence of a “substance”.

Martina Sherlock, prosecuting, said Hill’s ex-girlfriend, who he had split up with four weeks before, seemed to be “anti-police” and obstructed officers who were trying to get to Hill.

The damage amounted to “thousands of pounds”, Mrs Sherlock said.

He tried to resist arrest when police finally got to him and spat on the leg of one of the arresting officers.

He has 12 previous convictions for 14 offences with a history of violence.

Despite their break-up, Hill had still been staying at his former partner’s flat “occasionally”.

Andrew Foreman, defending, said Hill did not have any money to get home and had tried to get back into the flat to get some cash from his ex.

Mr Foreman said the incident “would not have happened had he not been completely intoxicated”.

He said the damage to the door was “moderate” and “in the context of the struggle” with the police officer, Hill “did not know” he spat at her.

Hill is a painter and decorator but has been out of work for the past few months.

He cares for his brother, who has Asperger’s, Mr Foreman said.

Hill “wants to send a letter of apology” to the officer he spat at.

Hill pleaded guilty to criminal damage and assaulting a constable in the execution of her duty.

Magistrate Matthew Irish sentenced Hill to a 12-month community order, meaning he must carry out 60 hours of unpaid work, reduced from 90 because of his guilty plea.

Hill was also ordered to pay £250 compensation to Brighton and Hove City Council.

Hill also breached a conditional discharge for a previous offence, but Mr Irish did not punish him for this because he was “near the end” of it.