A drunken father-of-two who headbutted a police officer has been sentenced to 18 months probation.

Self-employed carpenter Wayne Prior, 37, of Morton Road, East Grinstead, pleaded guilty to assaulting police and being drunk and disorderly when he appeared before Crawley magistrates yesterday.

Richard Lynn, prosecuting, said the defendant was in a group of people behaving rowdily in East Grinstead town centre during the early hours of October 4.

He said: "Without provocation, Prior swore at the police and made insulting comments.

"He was warned about his behaviour and struggled while being handcuffed. He continued to struggle as he was being put into a police vehicle and butted PC Murray Dall, bruising the officer's face and inflicting a cut lip."

Robert Beighton, defending, said: "Prior was frustrated over marriage difficulties on the night of the incident - the couple are now divorcing.

"Drink got the better of him and he is ashamed about his outburst and the assault. But it was not a deliberate attempt to cause injury. He is very sorry."

Prior was also ordered to pay £50 costs and £100 compensation to PC Dall.