A young drunk kicked a police officer in the face when she tried to make him take a breath test, Worthing magistrates heard.

John Jackman, 20, of Fletcher Way, Angmering, also kicked a policeman in the leg and tried to bite other officers trying to restrain him.

Worthing magistrates heard yesterday that he had been handcuffed after refusing to take a breath test when spotted drink-driving in South Street, Worthing.

However, Jackman managed to free one of his hands from the cuffs, lashed out and even tried to battle his way out of a secure police van.

He repeatedly banged his head against a glass partition while screaming abuse and only calmed down later when he was put into custody.

Jackman apologised for his behaviour when he appeared before magistrates, who told him he had escaped jail "by a whisker".

Kirsten Sharp, prosecuting, said two officers on mobile patrol had seen Jackman driving in a section of South Street where cars are not allowed.

They pulled him over and suspected he had been drinking, so radioed for a roadside breath test to be sent.

Jackman started smoking, despite being told not to, then refused to take the test when the equipment arrived.

Two officers tried to handcuff him to arrest him but he started flailing his arms, with only his left wrist in the cuffs.

Ms Sharp said: "He was struggling and lashing out at the officers. He delivered a sharp kick to PC Hearn's leg and kicked PC White in the face.

"In the van he kept bashing his head against the flexi-glass partition, trying to bite the officers and shouting and swearing."

Police eventually restrained him using captor spray and carried out the breath test, which showed he was almost twice the legal limit for driving.

He did not have insurance nor a full driving licence.

Suzanne Dodd, defending, said: "Mr Jackman is appalled by his own behaviour that night. Partly it was due to fear and panic, as well as the alcohol he had consumed.

"He is remorseful about the incident and would like to offer his apologies to the officers he kicked."

She said he had recently been drinking more each day, recognised it had become a problem and was willing to seek help.

Unemployed Jackman pleaded guilty to driving a car with excess alcohol, with no insurance, with no licence, resisting a police officer and two charges of assaulting a police officer.

He was sentenced to 120 hours' community punishment, disqualified from driving for 18 months, fined £305 and ordered to pay the two officers he attacked £50 compensation each.