A SELF-confessed alcoholic bit a police officer and was described as “causing havoc” in front of families trying to enjoy a day out at a fun fair.

Jamie Alan Selvey repeatedly swore at officers and eventually bit one on the thumb after he was hauled off a bus and restrained when police were called to the scene in Montgomery on Thursday, May 5.

Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday heard how alcohol misuse had been a problem for 40-year-old Selvey for most of his life but had escalated in recent months and resulted in the loss of his job.

The court heard Selvey deeply regretted the incident and had even called the police station to apologise to the officer he bit. Selvey, of Tan y Mur, Montgomery, had pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and threatening behaviour at an earlier hearing.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said the incident happened at about 5.10pm on Broad Street.

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“The defendant was described as causing havoc in Montgomery,” said Ms Tench. “Police arrived, they stopped a bus, the defendant was sitting on one of the seats.

“As officers started applying handcuffs, he began tensing up and started swearing loudly. He became increasingly worked up.

“One of the officers was PC Underword. He bit down on the officer’s thumb.”

Owain Jones, acting for Selvey, said his client was upset at the time as he was being arrested for an unrelated matter, which he denied.

He added: “He was described as creating havoc, but it’s clear from his interview he was arrested for an unrelated matter. He was denying the offence, so he was upset at the prospect of being arrested.”

Magistrates ordered Selvey to serve 16 weeks in prison – but they suspended the term for 18 months.

He must pay £85 costs, £100 compensation and a £128 surcharge.