A MAN who fractured a police officer's finger claimed he didn't remember the incident due to drinking alcohol while prescribed strong pain killers, magistrates heard.

Martin Woodcock, 28, claimed that he couldn't remember anything of his night out in Hereford on February 17, before waking up in the police station the next morning.

Woodcock, of Elgar Avenue, Malvern, pleaded guilty to assaulting PC Jim Moore causing actual bodily harm.

Sara Beddows, prosecuting, said that police attended an incident on February 17, at The Kerry, on Commercial Street.

Door staff had ejected Woodcock from the venue following an incident inside. He became violent towards door staff and started banging his head so was restrained for his own safety and placed into a recovery position.

PC Moore approached Woodcock while he was lying on the ground and when he leant down the defendant appeared unconscious. Woodcock then began swinging punches towards the police officer and made contact with his shoulder. Woodcock kicked out, shouted and swore at police officers while they arrested him.

When the police van arrived to take the defendant to custody he kicked out at PC Moore causing pain to his knee and shin area.

As they took him to the police doors Woodcock leant back so he couldn't be placed inside the cage. At this point he kicked out towards officers and caught PC Moore on his right hand.

PC Moore suffered pain to his hand and went to hospital where it was confirmed he had a fracture to his finger.

When interviewed Woodcock said that he couldn't remember leaving a friend's house or going to town.

Chris Read, mitigating, said that this wasn't a standard Saturday night scuffle outside a pub as there were unusual circumstances.

He said that Woodcock had a past history of epilepsy and was taking tramadol for a back injury, which he had been advised not to mix with alcohol.

"He made the conscious decision not to take the medication knowing he was going to be drinking alcohol," said Mr Read.

"Unfortunately the tramadol was still in his system and the alcohol had a very significant effect. Woodcock's last memory was being at his friend's house and he doesn't recall leaving that house and the next morning he was in the police station.

"He is very regretful and would apologise to the officer. It is very much out of character."

Magistrates ordered Woodcock to pay a £50 fine, £50 compensation, £100 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.