A TEENAGER who assaulted a police officer was locked up for 15 months yesterday.

Police went to Brian Graham's home following reports of a man armed with a knife.

They found Graham, 19, drunk and arguing with his girlfriend Gemma Allison. She was trying to recover belongings for herself and her child but Graham would not let her inside, Richard Wilson, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court.

When an officer asked if he could go inside for Miss Allison's clothing, Graham became aggressive and raised his arms. The officer, fearing Graham had a knife, raised his arms in defence but was headbutted. Graham was then threatened with CS spray, but continued to be aggressive and the spray was used.

Interviewed later, Graham said he could not remember what had happened because he had been "very drunk".

John Gillette, defending, said Graham had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Graham, of The Green, Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, was sentenced to detention in a young offender's institution.