A DRUNK man spat in a police officer's face after being arrested for kicking a hanging basket.

Jack Peter Snow, 26, was heard "screaming and shouting" in the street at around 11.30am on August 15 after a neighbour looked out of his window to find the source of the noise.

He was witnessed kicking the hanging basket in Ushaw Moor, County Durham, before kicking wheelie bins in an alley when police were called.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court heard yesterday that Snow, of Temperance Terrace, Ushaw Moor, did not recall much of the incident because he had been drinking, but pleaded guilty to criminal damage and assaulting a PC.

When Snow was taken into police custody, he spat at one of the arresting officers, causing saliva to land on her right cheek.

The 26-year-old was ordered to pay £150 compensation to the officer he spat at and £5 compensation to the owner of the hanging basket. He was also given a 12-month conditional discharge.