A MAN has been jailed for a double assault in Chester, which included biting the leg of a police officer while being restrained in custody.

Lewis Andrew Price, 23, of Lyndale Court, Winsford, pleaded guilty to the both assault charges, the other being on his then girlfriend, when he appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on November 9.

Price was sentenced at the same court on Monday, November 30, after the matter was adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be carried out.

The bench heard how Price had been drinking with Madeline Burrows, his partner of seven months, at her Chester University Halls of Residence building on November 7, when the pair began arguing.

Jonathon Wilkinson, prosecuting, said: "There was a verbal altercation between the pair and security at the Halls of Residence were alerted.

"When security attended the scene, Price pushed a guard in the chest before he fled out of a window.

"His partner followed him out of the building and once outside a further argument ensued and Price was seen by witnesses pinning her to the ground and pulling her hair."

Ms Burrows was said to have suffered bruises and cuts during the assault, and when she was in the back of a police vehicle was overheard saying, 'he's bit my face, my face is a mess'.

When speaking to a police officer, Ms Burrows, who the court heard didn't want to bring any charges against Price, admitted, 'he's always like this, he has a history'.

Price was taken into custody at Blacon Police Station and once there, bit a police officer, PC McGlynn, on the thigh as he struggled to restrain him.

Mr Wilkinson went on to say Price had previous convictions for 23 offences, including six for assault and 'a nasty domestic incident' in 2017, which had also similarly featured an attack on an emergency worker.

He added: "This was a nasty assault on a vulnerable victim, deliberately causing more harm than necessary."

Rebecca Boswell, defending, told the bench her client accepted the assault took place and was 'very disappointed in himself' as she asked them to consider suspending any custodial sentence.

She said Price, who has ADHD, was in full time employment and seeking the help of mental health teams after previously self-medicating his condition by taking cannabis and cocaine.

"I'm not going to stand here and say it doesn't cross the custody threshold because it clearly does," she advised.

"However, this is a complainant that never actually made a complaint to the police.

"She didn't want it going to court."

Ms Boswell said Price admitted being in the Halls of Residence on the evening in question and that both he and his partner had been drinking before an argument broke out between the pair, who then left together.

She added: "While outside, there are witnesses who said they saw him dragging her to the floor.

"He was distraught after being arrested and made an attempt to run away while in custody before officers managed to restrain him by his arms and legs.

"He tells me he cannot recall assaulting the police officer due to him being extremely intoxicated at the time.

"I would ask you to consider a suspended sentence today.

"It is very onerous on him to be in full time employment and to continue the good work he has started with the mental health teams.

"He knows now he needs to work on himself before he begins any future relationships."

Magistrates told Price, who was sobbing in the dock throughout proceedings, the offences were 'so serious, we don't believe they can be dealt with in the community'.

Price was led away after being told he will serve 16 weeks in immediate custody, with the sentence being concurrent for both offences.

He was also ordered to pay £130 compensation to PC McGlynn.