A TEENAGER scratched and spat at police officers after he caught trespassing on a railway line in Southampton.

Joshua Moore was arrested while standing on the line near to St Deny’s Station.

But after he was taken back to the police station, the 18-year-old began a “sustained” attack on police staff as they attempted to help him.

Southampton magistrates were told how, during the attack, he spat at the leg of one officer and scratched at his hand – drawing blood.

Moore also spat in the direction of a detention officer, who he also scratched on the hand.

Prosecutor Ryan Seneviratne said the incident began when Moore was arrested while trespassing on the railway line near to Adelaide Road.

Moore was taken to Southampton Central Police Station after his arrest, when he began taking off his clothes and using them in an attempt to self-harm.

Staff stepped in to help Moore, who began what Mr Seneviratne described as a “sustained” attack on the two officers.

In mitigation, Stephen Tricker said the teenager’s decision to trespass on the railway line was a “cry for help” and that Moore’s attack on the officers “lacked malicious intent”.

Magistrates sentenced Moore, who pleaded guilty to one count of trespassing on a railway line and two counts of a assault, the subject of a 12 month community order.

Moore, of Birch Close, Southampton, will have to complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days as part of the order. He was also ordered to pay compensation of £50 to each of his victims.