A MAN who travelled to an isolated area to sniff glue, bit a police officer as he was being arrested, a court heard yesterday.

Anthony Etherington, 36, appeared before magistrates in Bishop Auckland, yesterday. He pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and using threatening and abusive behaviour.

Clive Booth, defending, said Etherington chose an isolated area at the top of Brusselton Bank, near Shildon to sniff glue late at night, as he was embarrassed about the habit because it was normally associated with young people.

The court heard how Etherington put two fingers up at police when they approached him and then held up half a brick, threatening them not to approach any further. After swearing at the officers he grabbed PC Simon Cowan and bit him.

Etherington, from Station Road, St Helen Auckland, is now getting help for his addiction and visiting a psychiatric nurse for treatment.

Magistrates said Etherington was in need of more help than punishment and the case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.