A man with Hepatitis C who bit a police officer and spat at another has been jailed.

Kirklees magistrates heard that the officers involved were caused some distress after learning that the 39-year-old had the disease.

They are set to be compensated after one of them had to undergo hospital treatment following the attack by Mark Thompson.

The incident happened just two days after he was arrested for assaulting another two officers.

The court was told that Thompson, of Matherville, Skelmanthorpe , turned violent after drinking.

Thompson pleaded guilty to four charges of assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty, criminal damage, assault and breaching a restraining order.

The first set of offences happened at the Boy and Barrel pub on October 13. Thompson was in the Beast Market pub but was agitated and asking people if they wanted a fight. He was asked by the manager to leave but said he wanted to finish his drink first.

Police were called and struggled as they tried to place him in handcuffs as he broke a window.

Thompson punched one officer in the nose and headbutted another after being put into a marked vehicle.

Two days later police were called after he breached a restraining order not to contact his ex Susan Burland, imposed by the court in April after he assaulted her.

On October 15 he came across her in Huddersfield town centre, followed her as she tried to run away and punched her in the head.

Police were called and Thompson was still being aggressive.

Vanessa Jones, prosecuting, said: “He lunged forward to try and headbutt the PC and was trying to bite the officer’s arm. It was caught on Thompson’s teeth and there was a scratch and slight cut.

“He (Thompson) is a carrier of Hepatitis C and the officer had to have injections and antibiotics.”

Following his arrest Thompson was taken to hospital after suffering an injury to his face.

He was abusive to the police and hospital staff and as he was being transported back to the police station he spat at another officer in the face.

Mrs Jones said: “The officer found this quite upsetting as he’d also heard about the Hepatitis C and he said that’s caused him some anxiety.”

Thompson had 68 offences resulting in 37 convictions on his record.

Mike Sisson-Pell, mitigating, said his client’s memory of the matters was vague.

He added: “In recent times he’s resorted to violence while under the influence of alcohol.”

Magistrates sentenced Thompson, who has been in custody since October, to 20 weeks in jail.

He must pay £100 compensation to both of the officers involved in the second incident for the anxiety they suffered.

Thompson also has to pay £100 for the broken pub window, £180 court charge, £85 costs and £80 victim surcharge.