JOSHUA Walker bit a policeman after officers found him drunk in Stroud and were trying to help him get home, a court heard.

Walker, 18, was found by police in Rowcroft at 11.30pm on Saturday, July 24 stumbling along the road.

Theresa Perry, prosecuting at Stroud Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, August 25, explained that officers approached Walker and found he was too drunk to stand up by himself.

"They put him in the police van and attempted to take him to two addresses in Stroud, where his family live," she said.

"No-one was in at both addresses so they took him to Stroud police station.

"When there he became agitated and aggressive and was refusing to co-operate so had to be handcuffed.

"He then bit one of the policemen on the wrist - there was a visible bite mark and it was left swollen and red."

David Anderson, defending, said: "Drink was the cause of this incident.

"He has come to the realisation that drinking to excess gets him into trouble and is trying to do something about it."

Walker, of Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, pleaded guilty to assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty.

He was given a 12-month community order with six months supervision and 60 hours of unpaid work.

Walker was also ordered to pay £75 compensation to the police officer and £50 costs.