A man who threatened his friend with a knife and kicked a police officer was told he 'could have a good future ahead of him.'

Joe David Woodhall, aged 23, and of Barrow Rise in Wyke Regis, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour and assaulting an emergency worker when he appeared at Weymouth Magistrates Court.

Elizabeth Valera, prosecuting, told magistrates the incident happened on February 7 this year at a flat in Dorchester.

She said: "The defendant appears to be with his partner, everybody is drinking and other younger people are at the address.

"Police are called because of the noise...there is some property damage, police give advice and tell them to calm down and stop the noise or further action would be taken."

Officers left the flat but a further call was made to police to attend the address at 11.45pm that night.

Mrs Valera said a police statement described the people in the flat as "frantic" and they were told to calm down again. She said Woodhall's friend put him in a headlock, after which he went to get a kitchen knife and threatened his friend with it.

Woodhall was arrested for affray when he started "swearing continuously and shouting at the top of his voice," the court was told. He was placed in handcuffs and taken downstairs when he kicked officer PC Powell in the shin. The officer said it was a "deliberate" act.

In a police interview, Woodhall said he had no memory of the incident at all.

A probation report said an expensive bottle of alcohol which was spilled at the party initially caused the commotion and that Woodhall "readily accepts guilt" for his actions. The probation officer added that Woodhall is willing to address issues caused by alcohol.

Woodhall told magistrates that he "doesn't ever want to be back" in court again. He said: "I just want to get on with my life and be a good chef."

Chairman of the bench, Judith Boichot, sentenced Woodhall to a 12-month community order including 80 hours of unpaid work. He was also told to pay £100 compensation to the police officer.

Mrs Boichot said: "You could have a very good future ahead of you so do make the most of it. We do not want to see you back here again."