A man who bit a police officer on the arm has been given a suspended jail sentence.
Eric Hands sank his teeth into the officer's left arm after threatening to head-butt another officer.
He pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm.
Victoria Rose, prosecuting at Leicester Crown Court, said officers stopped Hands in a car in Station Road, Broughton Astley, at 12.34am on April 21.
She said their roadside breath test machine was not working properly and Hands was "abusive and aggressive".
Miss Rose told the court: "He was arrested due to his behaviour and with a view to a breath test procedure being carried out a the police station.
"He was shouting and swearing at officers and repeatedly smashed his head against the van's (interior) cage door."
After being removed from the van, Hands "lunged" at the victim and one of his colleagues, who restrained him.
She said Hands was "threatening to head-butt the colleague," but the victim put his hand on the back of his neck to push his face away.
The officer "suddenly felt a bite to his right arm, causing a burning sensation," Miss Rose said.
"The other officer had to make distraction strikes on his head to get him to release his bite."
The injured constable received immediate medical treatment to a "large wound" on his forearm.
Although the victim did not have stitches, the wound was dressed and he had to have a variety of blood tests, with the final results due in October.
Hands (34) of Jubilee Road, Broughton Astley, was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months.
He was ordered to attend a thinking skills programme and do 50 hours of unpaid work.
Recorder Sam Mainds said: "You lost it on that night and behaved in an appalling way – and it was out of character.
"I've not heard any satisfactory explanation for that, or any remorse, although I understand you've written to the officer to apologise.
"Assaulting police officers and biting them is always serious. I'm suspending the sentence because of what's been said on your behalf."
Michael Garvey, mitigating, said: "He can't explain his actions with any clarity.
"He was in a low mood and on anti-depressants.
"He doesn't recall drinking particularly, but did have something to drink and possibly had more tablets than he should have done."
Hands was said to have been depressed due to breaking-up with his partner. They are reconciled.
