A 26-YEAR-old who was bitten by a police dog as he tried to run away from officers has been sentenced.

Kyle Bythell of Kinnersley Close, Hereford pleaded guilty to possessing 5.2g of cocaine, obstructing/ resisting a constable in execution of duty and to being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

Herefordshire Magistrates Court heard that police were called at 1.33am on August 27 to a disorder in Broadleys Crescent in Hereford.

Rob Perry, prosecuting, said Bythell was arguing with his girlfriend when police arrived and finally started to walk away when asked to do so.

But officers then saw him push his girlfriend and he became aggressive with the police and failed to comply with instructions.

He was arrested but he started to run away and a police dog was released, who caught Bythell by biting him on his left thigh.

He was searched and found to have cocaine in his possession.

The court heard that his last previous conviction was in April 2011.

Bythell, who was defending himself, said he had been going through a difficult time with his mental health over the past year.

He said he has been seeing a mental health nurse and realised that drink does not help him.

He was given a 12-month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work and five rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was ordered to pay £135 costs and £85 victim surcharge.