A man has been given a suspended prison sentence and told to pay police compensation after celebrations for his 50th birthday ended up in a violent confrontation.

Officers had to use pepper spray to restrain Paul Tyler as he slapped, tried to headbutt and threatened to bite officers as they tried to arrest him for being drunk.

Norwich Magistrates' Court heard he had been attempting to intervene in a disturbance when the incident happened on St Stephens Street in Norwich on June 3. 

Tyler became abusive towards police as they dealt with a separate attack on a 16-year-old, magistrates were told. 

READ MORE: Hundreds of assaults on Norfolk frontline emergency workers

Prosecutor Rima Bejum said he had grabbed one officer by the genitals and had shouted a stream of foul-mouthed violent threats including “I’ll break your neck” and “when I get you I’ll bite your face off”.

In an impact statement read in court one officer said he had considered quitting the force after the attack which he said had added to his sense of disillusionment over the amount of attacks aimed at police. 

Tyler, 50, of Tailor Place in Hethersett, pleaded guilty to three charges of assaulting emergency workers and being drunk and disorderly. 

Rachel Buck, mitigating, said he had been attempting to help with the separate attack when police arrived.

Mixing medication and alcohol during birthday celebrations had resulted in “poor consequences”, she added.

“He is remorseful and very much regrets his actions,” she said.

READ MORE: Armed police called after man seen wielding knife in city centre

Magistrates sentenced him to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months and made him subject of 120 days of alcohol monitoring. 

He was also told to pay £500 compensation to one police officer and £100 to another, together with fines and costs of £285.

“The impact of your actions could have resulted in an officer resigning his position, which is something this court does not take lightly,” they added.