A MARKETING student who bit a police officer after he was spotted wandering in the road in the early hours of the morning 'couldn't have cared less' that he was putting himself at risk, a court has heard.

Sergeant Ben Pope told magistrates that Stuart Surmon's condition was not due to an illness or his mental health, but "simply self-induced drunkenness".

Police were called to Holdenhurst Road at 2.10am on January 19 after members of the public saw an 'intoxicated male' in the road near the Christopher Creeke pub.

Richard Withey, prosecuting at Poole Magistrates' Court, said witnesses were "concerned about the behaviour" of the man and an ambulance was also called.

However, when officers arrived, Surmon, who attends Bournemouth University, "raised his arms into a fighting stance" and started shouting that he wanted to fight them.

As police attempted to calm the 21-year-old down, he began to struggle, and Sgt Pope decided to "put him on the ground". Mr Withey said.

"While officers attempted to restrain him, the defendant bit Sgt Pope on the forearm," the prosecutor said.

"The sergeant was wearing a long-sleeved jacket, but he still received a mark to his forearm."

A photo of the bite mark was shown to the court.

In interview, Surmon, who gave his address as Moretaine Road in Ashford, Middlesex, said he had drunk a bottle of Merlot with friends before going out.

He arrived at the Old Fire Station at around 10.30pm and drank three double vodkas with Red Bull.

He did not remember the incident and "became very upset" when told what had happened, the court heard.

A victim impact statement written by Sgt Pope was read aloud to the court. In it, the 46-year-old, who has worked for the police for 25 years, said he has seen an increase in the level of violence against officers in recent years.

"[Surmon] was not ill or suffering with mental health problems. It was simply self-induced drunkenness," the officer said.

"It is clear that he couldn't care less that he was so drunk he had placed himself at risk."

Surmon, who has no previous convictions, did not drink an unusual amount and believes he may have been spiked, the court heard.

Parts of a letter written to Sgt Pope were read aloud to the court in which he expressed his "respect of the work of all emergency workers".

Magistrates said they accepted the defendant's remorse and sentenced him to a 12-month condition discharge. He was also ordered to pay Sgt Pope £120 in compensation, as well as £85 court costs.