A bare-chested bricklayer attacked a police officer and repeatedly spat at two others whilst vowing to have their children raped during a terrifying rampage.
James Smith, 29, sank his teeth into the boot of the constable who was handcuffing him before fighting his male colleagues who intervened.
During the violent struggle officers had to put a spit hood over Smith's head before locking him in leg restraints and then physically carrying him to their patrol van.
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Whilst on his way to the police station, he suddenly appeared to collapse due to his intoxicated condition. When an ambulance was called, Smith came round and began hurling more abuse at the officers, calling them ‘nonces’ and saying he would ‘get their families and children raped’.
Smith, of Trencherbone, Radcliffe, later blamed his drunken New Year's Eve behaviour, as Covid restrictions were being lifted, on not taking his medication for ADHD.
In a statement, one of the officers said: "I do not come to work and expect to be assaulted. It was stressful knowing that he may have been contagious at a time when the health of me and my family was one of my primary concerns.
"The defendant appeared hellbent on hurting us."
Another PC said: "This was only my second shift with Greater Manchester Police after moving from another constabulary. I have worked with the police for seven years and I know that not everyone has a positive view of us but the fact that he thinks it acceptable to spit at officers is disgusting."
At Minshull Street Crown Court, Smith admitted three charges of assaulting an emergency worker and criminal damage and was jailed for 22 months. He also pleaded guilty to unrelated offences of battery upon an ex-girlfriend plus criminal damage to her apartment after he binged on bottles of brandy and vodka plus 20 cans of lager mixed with cocaine.
He further admitted glassing a pubgoer in an unprovoked attack leaving him with puncture wounds and other cuts to his forehead, face and lip.
The attack on police happened on January 1 last year when Smith suddenly went berserk and started trashing an internal door, a kettle and several baby bottles whilst at a friend's house where a child was present.
Helena Williams, prosecuting, said: "Police attended the address due to a report of a disturbance having been told that a male had been smashing up the house of a friend and his partner.
"On arrival the defendant initially did not answer the door. The defendant then flung open the door, topless and aggressive. He appeared to be under the influence of either drugs/alcohol.
"[The] PC started to go towards the house and the defendant had his hands up blocking the officers."
Two other police officers then attended the scene and one deployed his baton and told him to get back. The PC struck Smith on the leg after he refused to move and then the three officers restrained him.
While on the ground the defendant bit the foot of a PC through his boot. Ms Williams said: "He also continued to try and kick out, making contact with the legs of [another PC]. As the struggle continued the defendant spat two to three times at [two officers], with some spit landing on their clothing."
The officers used a spit hood and he was eventually handcuffed and bundled into the back of a police van.
Ms Williams added: "Throughout this the defendant continued to be aggressive with officers. But en route to custody the defendant appeared to pass out. His pulse appeared a little weak and his breathing appeared laboured.
"An ambulance was requested. Prior to the ambulance being found, the defendant started to come around and continued to be verbally aggressive to officers.
"The defendant was then transported to hospital in the police vehicle. The defendant continued to be verbally aggressive and offensive with hospital staff and police officers, calling them nonces and saying that he was going to get the officers children and families raped.
"He was later discharged into the custody of the offices following treatment but while travelling to Cheadle Custody Suite the defendant spat on the walls and floor of the van."
Smith had convictions for possessing a knife, violence and other public order offences. In 2019, he was jailed for 14 months after threatening to 'f***ing slice' people with a 'craft knife’ after he was asked to leave a memorial gathering at a pub for being drunk and boorish.
Daniel Harman, representing Smith, said in mitigation: "Perhaps a cause of the defendant's actions is that he hasn't taken any of his medication for his Aspergers and ADHD since 2019.
"His major issue is drinking. He can't regulate his emotions when he's under drink and I've told him everyone loves a drink, nobody likes a drunk. He has not sought any rehabilitative care for his problem since 2019. He has however been sober for the seven months he has been in remand."
Mr Harman added: "He worked consistently as a bricklayer and currently lives with his girlfriend and he has one child with her. He had a difficult start in life and in 2019 he hit rock bottom when a tragic incident happened involving his daughter."
But sentencing Smith, Judge Mark Savill told him: "The reason you are here is because of your misbehaving when under drink. This was a disgraceful assault involving vile abuse and the police officers were presented with something that they should not have to deal with.
"The officers were trying to conduct an arrest on you but you weren't having any of it. The presence of the child in the property at the time did not stop you from trying to bite [the[ PC through his boot.
"Luckily no serious injury was caused but what was more shocking was your decision to spit. Public health was at the forefront of everyone's mind. Your actions were so serious and the risk of contagion so evident that the officers had to deploy a spit hood. Your actions at the hospital were even more shocking."
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