A self-confessed alcoholic kicked a police constable after his arrest and then spat at him, shouting: “I have got Aids and you are going to get it”.John Smith, 37, admitted assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty and being drunk and disorderly.

A self-confessed alcoholic kicked a police constable after his arrest and then spat at him, shouting: “I have got Aids and you are going to get it”.

John Smith, 37, admitted assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty and being drunk and disorderly.

When Smith appeared at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court yesterday, the chairman of the bench told him that custody was the only option and sentenced him to 28 weeks - including 10 weeks of a suspended sentence for previous offences.

Alan Wheetman, prosecuting, said Smith was drunk after consuming more than a bottle of whisky when he went to McColls store in Yarmouth, on February 3. He was staggering around, knocking into shelves and after leaving the shop continued causing a nuisance.

Police were called and put Smith inside their vehicle where he was abusive, lashing out between the seats with his foot, kicking PC John Blackburn in the kidney area, and spitting.

Annette Hall, mitigating, said Smith, of Mardle Road, Toft Monks, near Beccles had started drinking at the age of 13 but desperately wanted to stop because he wanted to have a life.