A SHILDON man has apologised for kicking a police officer after drinking two small bottles of vodka.

David Smith, 29, of Walter Street, Shildon, admitted being drunk and disorderly and assaulting PC Andrew Oliphant after spending an afternoon in March binge drinking with his cousin and friends.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard police were called to Scott Place, Newton Aycliffe, on Friday, March 23, at around 7.30pm after Smith had started banging on car bonnets and knocking on front doors.

When Bishop Auckland-based officer PC Oliphant arrived, Smith “lashed out” and used his right leg to kick the officer’s lower left leg.

But an apologetic Smith told District Judge Helen Cousins he did not remember the incident.

John Garside, prosecuting, said: “The defendant said he got up at about midday and went to have a few drinks.

“Police asked on a scale of one to ten, how drunk the defendant felt and he said he put himself at an 11 rating.

“The defendant has said he would shake the officer by the hand the next time he sees him.”

Smith represented himself in court on Thursday, March 14, and said he would actually describe himself as “being a 12” drunk on the scale of one to ten.

Smith was given a community order and told he must serve 120 hours of unpaid work as well as pay £120 compensation and £85 court costs.