A DRUNKEN man found walking along the A49 in Herefordshire attacked police officers after they tried to take him home.

Ashley Martin admitted three counts of assaulting an emergency worker by beating and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police were called to reports of a man walking in the road and putting himself at risk on the A49 near Leominster on December 18, prosecutor Mark Hambling said.

Officers were sent out in numbers and found him near the Grove Bowl turning.

Martin, they reported, seemed confused and worse for wear, and officers took the decision to take him home.

But he became aggressive after being sat in the back of a police car, pushing a female officer backwards and getting out.

Other officers rushed over and a struggle followed, with one officer having their fingers bent backwards, another being thrown to the floor, and another pushed in the chest.

"There was a struggle and a little bit of mayhem," Mr Hambling said.

"One officer fell to the floor, and in falling, she sustained a cut to her head and was in some distress."

The court heard the injured officer was taken to A&E, where the half-inch cut was glued, was off work for four days, and has since had further treatment from a chiropractor.

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Charlotte Gregory, for Martin, said the 29-year-old had been very remorseful in interview and was shocked by the body-worn camera footage of the assault.

"He says he had been drinking heavily that day and cannot explain why he reacted like that," Miss Gregory said.

"He tells me he feels embarrassed and has no problem with the police. This was very much out of character."

The court heard Martin was struggling with grief after his cousin died earlier in the year, and that he was not happy in his job at the time.

"Since that night he has looked at himself quite frankly and did not like what was happening," Miss Gregory said.

Martin, of Ford Street, Wigmore, was handed a 12-month community order with an electronically monitored 120-day alcohol abstinence requirement. He must also pay compensation of £50 each to two of the officers and £300 to the third, costs of £185, and a £95 victim surcharge.