A man who bit a police officer while drunk at a hospital has been sentenced. 

Timothy Perry, of Warren Road in Chingford, assaulted PC Farrier on September 26 following a visit to Whipps Cross Hospital by his father who was worried about his drunken state. 

Yesterday Thames Magistrates Court heard how hospital security staff called the police after the 37-year-old started "being aggressive and threatening to kill people". 

Perry was found slumped on the floor next to a car in the hospital car park when officer arrived and put him into a wheelchair, at which point he told officers "you're taking the piss".

Once inside the hospital, Perry fell out of the wheelchair, knocking it over twice. 

Prosecutor Joanna McCarthy explained: "As officers tried to take hold of his arms, he attempted to head butt and sink his teeth into them. 

"They became so concerned they bent his head forward. It was at this point he bit PC Farrier's upper left thigh resulting in quite a significant injury. 

"He refused to stop biting. An officer had to strike him with his fist in order to get him to release."

Defending Perry, solicitor Kunal Dave said: "He accepts it was wrong. His head was pushed and he felt some pain so he bit onto the first thing he saw."  

The unemployed father-of-two pleaded guilty to assault by beating at Thames Magistrates Court on October 13 and was sentenced yesterday to a 12 month supervision order and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the officer. 

Outside court, Perry told the Guardian: "I am extremely remorseful. I was very ill on that day and acted entirely out of character."