A MAN launched a sickening drunken assault on three police officers as they tried to help him to his feet after he fell in a Selby street, a court heard.

Magistrates told Christopher John Alloway, 22, that his behaviour was so disgusting they felt at first that a custodial sentence was inevitable.

A court heard how three Selby police officers were sprayed with Alloway's blood as they tried to help him to his feet.

Prosecutor Steve Ovenden said the incident prompted health worries in the officers, and their uniforms had to be destroyed.

Alloway, of North Drive, Sherburn-in-Elmet, had drunk 20 pints of lager on a night out in Selby on Saturday, September 10.

On his way home he tripped and fell near the Toll Bridge, and while he was on the ground another man - who was never traced - punched him in the face.

Mr Ovenden said: "A police sergeant was the first to get to Alloway, who was lying on his side with blood dripping from his face in a pool around his head.

"He got up, stumbled, and fell forward into the sergeant. Two other officers grabbed him by the arms.

"Alloway turned to one of them and spat blood from his facial injuries into his face. The other officers were covered in blood from the spray."

At Selby Magistrates Court, father-of-one Alloway - who has no previous convictions - pleaded guilty to assaulting three police officers.

Mitigating for Alloway, Keith Haggerty said he was "upset and ashamed of his actions".

Presiding magistrate Hilary Gilbertson said: "To behave in this way in public is unacceptable at any time, but to do this sort of offence to the police when they are doing their duty - which goodness knows is difficult enough - is deplorable."

Alloway was ordered to complete 175 hours of unpaid community work, pay court costs of £50 and £250 compensation to each police officer.

Updated: 10:09 Friday, October 21, 2005