A MAN who tried to bite a police officer while he was being arrested has been given a weekend curfew.

Matthew Melia, aged 20, was told by magistrates at Bury that he could have gone to prison for the attack, which happened after he had been drinking heavily with friends.

The defendant, of Lancaster Road, Radcliffe, had pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour and not guilty to assault. He was found guilty after a trial.

The bench decided to make Melia subject to a two-year community rehabilitation order with a requirement that he attends the Addressing Substances Related Offending programme.

He was also made subject to a curfew on Fridays and Saturdays, between 9pm and 5am, for the next 12 weeks and was ordered to pay £150 compensation.

Miss Yvonne Tunnicliffe, prosecuting, said police had been given information about two men and a woman said to have been involved in an incident at a kebab shop.

Melia was staggering around drunk and was abusive as officers arrived.

The court heard that when police tried to arrest him, Melia reacted violently and tried to bite one officer.

While they were waiting for the police van, Melia continued to use abusive language and the assault took place during which both the defendant and the two officers fell to the floor.

Melia told the court that falling to the ground had been an accident.

He said that he struggled because he was being held in handcuffs.

He added that there was no intention to bite and headbutt either officer.