A MAN threatened to slit a policeman's throat with a broken bottle and then chewed on pieces of smashed glass, a court heard yesterday.

Paul King, of North Road, Loftus, admitted a charge of affray at Teesside Crown Court.

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said that shortly after closing time three days after Christmas, the 36-year-old had gone to the front desk at Redcar police office and demanded to see a police officer.

He was told the officer no longer worked there and was given his new number. While still in the police station he rang a number on a mobile phone and said he was going to rip the head off and slit the throat of the officer.

While doing this he was carrying a broken bottle and he smashed it, then chewed on the broken pieces before being restrained by officers.

Michael Bosomworth, for King, said his client had a long history of low self worth, a catalogue of self damage and a reliance on alcohol and drugs.

Judge Anthony Briggs said King was a nuisance and sentenced him to a three-year community rehabilitation order.