David Hardy, 40, bit and spat at officers as well as threatening to "stick" one with a syringe

David Hardy, 40, was already serving a suspended prison sentence for burglary when he committed an array of assaults and public order offences in Bradford city centre between January and July this year.

The assaults on police included biting one officer, spitting at another, and threatening to “stick” a third with a syringe.

Judge David Hatton QC said the public neither “wanted nor deserved” to put up with Hardy’s anti-social behaviour.

Hardy, of Leeds Road, Bradford, appeared at Bradford Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced for a string of offences 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, had previously told the court that Hardy was intoxicated and aggressive in confrontations with the police and members of the public in Rawson Road and Centenary Square.

He 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.

On that occasion, he 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 another officer.

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

Sentencing him to 30 months in prison, Judge Hatton said: “You have been bailed and bailed again by the courts, but have continued this conduct in the same way.

“It is clear from your record that you have failed on countless occasions to respond to orders made by the court to assist you.

“You have had ample support.

“You do not desist, sadly, from your violent and anti-social antics.

“Alcohol and drugs provide no excuse.

“The public neither want nor deserve to put up with you, and West Yorkshire Police deserve some respite.”

Hardy was also given a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), meaning he will be banned from Bradford city centre, aside to attend organised appointments, for that timeframe following his release.

PC Di Walsh from the Bradford District Anti-Social Behaviour Unit described the sentencing as an “excellent result”, adding: “The public and police will now be protected from this violent and aggressive behaviour and the implementation of the CBO may assist Mr Hardy in getting the necessary support for his addictions to prevent any further offending.

“The anti-social behaviour team works with partners to protect visitors, workers, and residents of Bradford from this kind of behaviour and prosecute offenders.”