A MAN who spat blood at a police officer and bit him on the hand during his birthday night out has been charged.

Greg Small of Dalrymple's Forglen Road will pay a hefty sum in compensation for his vile attack on local cops on May 13 this year. The court also enforced a tag on Small to keep him indoors at weekends.

Depute Fiscal Stewart McMillan told Ayr Sheriff Court on Tuesday, December 4 that Small was involved in a drunken incident in Carrick Street in Ayr that led to the bloody encounter. He said: " At around 11pm, police officers were called to attend a disturbance where they noticed a large number of people.

"Officers spoke with Mr Small but he began to shout and swear in an aggressive manner. He was advised that he would be arrested if this became more aggressive. Officers noticed he had sustained an injury on his mouth.

"He then spat on the face of one of the officers, spitting blood. He did this twice and then bit the constable's hand."

Small was taken to the police station but he refused to answer any questions.

Defence solicitor Ian Gillies told the court that his client's behaviour was a result of a drunken night out for his birthday celebrations. Mr Gillies said: "Mr Small is 30-years-old, earns good money and it was his birthday the next day when this happened. His friends took him out for drinks and his memory of events is quite hazy.

"He would like to take this opportunity to publicly apologise to the officers involved in the incident.

"Mr Small is not someone who is aggressive and he does not recall how his injury was sustained."

Small was told he narrowly avoided prison for the offences. Sheriff Desmond Leslie said: "With some hesitation I will draw back from sentencing you to jail.

"These officers, like you have expectations when doing their work. Namely: Nobody bites you and nobody spits blood on your face."

Sheriff Leslie imposed a Restriction of Liberty Order on Small where he must remain within his home address between 9pm on a Saturday to 5am on a Sunday, and 6pm on a Sunday to 5am on a Monday.

Small was also ordered to pay the officer he bit and spat blood on compensation of £300, and charged an additional £300 fine to pay the court. He will pay back the total £600 at £25 per week.