A SOUTHAMPTON man who spat in a police officer's face has been jailed.

Oskar Feliks Starostka, 27, committed the "disgusting" offence as police attempted to arrest him at his home in Southampton.

Starostka also attempted to knock an officer off balance as he attempted to move him down a flight of stairs.

Starostka, who pleaded guilty to one count of assault on an emergency worker, was jailed for 10 weeks.

Southampton Magistrates' Court heard how officers were called to an address in Bitterne Road West after reports of a disturbance.

Prosecutor Liam Hunter told the court that when they arrived they found Starostka "intoxicated" and "out of it".

Mr Hunter said that as officers attempted to arrest Starostka he shouted "do not touch me", but he was eventually handcuffed.

The court heard that as police attempted to lead Starostka out of the building he spat at one of the officers, catching him in the face.

He was then put in a spit hood.

In a victim impact statement, read out in court, the officer said they found the act of spitting "disgusting".

Mr Hunter said Starostka also attempted to kick off the stairs and caused an officer to become imbalanced during the incident.

In mitigation, Eve Shelley said her client suffered from severe mental health difficulties including depression and anxiety, as well as suffering seizures.

Ms Shelley said Starostka was on medication and was showing signs of improvement.

She added that Starostka had "no recollection" of the incident.

Magistrates' jailed Starostka, who also pleaded guilty to committing an offence while on a community order, also for an assault on an officer, was jailed for a total of 10 weeks.

Starostka, of Bitterne Road West, Southampton, was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £122.