A 24-YEAR-OLD man pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer and causing harassment and distress yesterday.

Stephen Errington, of Woodland Road, Darlington, was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £134 in court costs and compensation by Darlington magistrates' court.

Errington assaulted the police officer by repeatedly spitting at him after hurling verbal abuse, following a drunken night out in Darlington in February.

Errington had been drinking in Escapade nightclub when the door staff removed him from the premises.

He started shouting at the staff to let him back inside so he could collect his coat from the cloakroom when the police officer arrived.

Despite the officer retrieving his coat for him, Errington became abusive and swore and spat at him.