FATHER-OF-TWO Ryan Linsley hit out and spat at police after a Christmas decorating session with his girlfriend, followed by drugs and drink binge, spiralled into a row.

Linsley, 25, of Beckhampton Road, Devizes, appeared before Chippenham magistrates on Tuesday to be sentenced for a total of six charges.

He had pleaded guilty to five of the charges at an earlier hearing when sentencing was adjourned for reports, and was found guilty of the sixth one of the three charges of assaulting a police officer following a hearing.

The other charges were failing to provide a breath test, failing to stop after an accident and careless driving.

Marion Langford, prosecuting, told the court that just before midnight on December 13, a car collided with two vehicles parked in the Kingsley Road area of Devizes.

A witness heard the crash and spotted a man getting out of the car, staggering and swaying, and heading away from the scene of the accident. The police were called and after taking a description of the suspect they searched the area.

Later they spotted Linsley leaving a nearby house and getting into a car, with a man who turned out to be his father.

Linsley's breath smelt of alcohol and he had a cut over the bridge of his nose. He was shouting and verbally abusive to the police.

His father tried to restrain him, but Linsley was very agitated and refused to give a breath specimen.

He became violent when officers tried to handcuff him and hit one police officer in the chest. He continued to be abusive and spat at a woman police officer.

Later at Melksham police station he spat at another police officer.

The police officer who was hit in the chest was wearing body armour but reported he suffered pain and discomfort as a result of the blow.

When interviewed by the police Linsley said he could not remember what happened and could not remember assaulting the police officers.

Con Fernandes, defending, said Linsley had given up using cocaine in July and was now living with his parents and endeavouring to put his life in order.

On the night of the assaults, Mr Fernandes said Linsley went to his then girlfriend's house to put up Christmas decorations.

Afterwards the couple took drugs and drank heavily, and then had a row. Linsley had been intending to stay the night but he was kicked out of his girlfriend's home and got into his car, with the intention of driving to a friend's house.

Mr Fernandes said that Linsley, who has two children from a previous relationship, whom he visits twice a week and supports financially, was trying to get his life in order.

He told the court Linsley's parents, a social worker and a farm manager, had sat him down and talked to him about straightening up his act.

Magistrates told Linsley they took the assaults on the police officers seriously and had considered a custodial sentence.

Instead they opted for a community rehabilitation order for one year, and a community punishment order for 100 hours. For failing to provide a specimen Linsley was disqualified from driving for a year, and for careless driving and failing to stop after an accident his license was endorsed.

Linsley was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to each of the three police officers and £70 costs.