A DRINK and drug fuelled man repeatedly attacked and abused police officers in Bradford city centre, biting one, spitting at another and threatening to "stick" a third with a syringe, a court heard.

David Hardy committed four separate sets of "serious and unpleasant" offences in breach of an 18 month suspended prison sentence imposed in July last year for burglary.

Hardy, 40, of Leeds Road, Bradford, appeared at the city's crown court yesterday to be sentenced for a string of crimes, including racially aggravated disorderly conduct, assaulting police officers, criminal damage to a police car, racially aggravated fear of provocation of violence and police obstruction.

Nick Askins, prosecuting, said Hardy was intoxicated and aggressive in confrontations with the police and members of the public in Rawson Road and Centenary Square.

Judge David Hatton QC adjourned sentence until November 16 for preparation of a pre-sentence report and to see a psychiatric report prepared on Hardy earlier this year.

Mr Askins said that on January 25, Hardy racially abused a member of the public and smashed a police car window while handcuffed in the vehicle, injuring a police officer he showered with broken glass.

On March 29, on bail, he bit an officer on the arm, refusing to release his grip until he was struck on the back of the head.

On April 11, he was found on a stairwell in Rawson Road holding a syringe. He chased a police officer with the needle, saying: "I'll stick you with this."

Hardy was again arrested on bail, at 7.30pm on May 27, after a confrontation with members of the public in Centenary Square, caught on camera by the City Watch team.

Mr Askins said Hardy threatened to bite and headbutt a police officer.

During the struggle, he hit his head on the pavement and was taken to hospital, where he threatened to bite anyone who came near him and spat at a police officer.

On July 8, Hardy obstructed the police by giving a false name while wanted on a Bench warrant, meaning that he evaded arrest.

Mr Askins said there was an application for a Criminal Behaviour Order because of the harassment, alarm and distress Hardy had caused.

He is already banned from Bradford city centre as a condition of his bail.

Hardy's barrister, Nigel Jamieson, said his client had suffered mental health problems since he was struck on the head with a hammer.

He now had stable accommodation, a support worker and medical help.

Judge Hatton said: "His conduct on each of these occasions has been appalling."

He labelled them "serious and unpleasant offences" and said it was a troubling case.

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