A "bit of a bender" was the precursor to a man committing a spate of offences in Weston-super-Mare. And it has cost him 12 months in prison.
Thomas Harris took his partner's leased Mercedes car illegally, crashed it and bit a police officer. As well as that he was found with crack cocaine, Bristol Crown Court heard.
Harris, 35, of Court Close in St Georges, Weston-super-Mare, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without a proper licence or insurance, failing to stop after an accident or report it, possessing Class A and C drugs, assaulting an emergency worker, possessing a weapon capable of discharging a noxious substance and dangerous driving. Judge Martin Picton jailed him for 12 months.
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The judge told Harris: "You should be deeply remorseful. Appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody."
Harris was banned from driving for two years and told to take an extended driving test. Drugs recovered, as well as CS spray, were forfeited.
Neil Treharne, prosecuting, said Harris took the car and crashed it. Mr Treharne said: "At 10.49pm police were called to an accident in Coleridge Road, Weston-super-Mare.
"The defendant had collided with a number of vehicles and then made off. Police tried to pursue him but they had no idea where he had gone."
Harris turned up in nearby Winterstoke Road, the court heard. After a foot chase an officer caught him, she managed to handcuff him, and when he said he had a firearm she searched him and found a canister of CS spray - as well as drugs and a key fob for the Mercedes.
When other officers arrived on the scene Harris spat at them and bit one on the hand, the court heard. When interviewed he accepted what he had done, Mr Treharne said.
Jack Barry, defending, said: "He is very remorseful for what happened. He had been on a bit of a bender, taking drugs and associating with people who were a bit of a bad influence. He says he is a follower, not a leader.
"He is very sorry to the police officer he assaulted. If sober he would not act in that way."
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