A former soldier jailed for spitting in a police sergeant’s face said he was ashamed of himself and wished it had never happened.

Shane Pickersgill told Bradford Crown Court today he was off his head on drink and drugs when he committed the offence after being arrested for shoplifting.

Pickersgill, 27, of St James Road, Halifax, was jailed for four months after pleading guilty to assaulting a police officer as an emergency worker on March 15.

Prosecutor Michael Smith said the defendant spat in the officer’s face during in the booking in procedure at Halifax Police Station, leaving the sergeant “concerned and revolted.”

Pickersgill, who was remanded in custody, was sentenced on a video link to Leeds Prison.

He also admitted stealing meat worth £48 from Tesco Express in Halifax.

The court heard he was caught shoplifting at the store but managed to get away.

He was apprehended later in the day when he spat at the officer.

Pickersgill had 22 previous convictions for 53 offences, including aggravated vehicle taking, theft, arson, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage and burglary.

In 2018, he was dealt with for abh, battery and possession of a bladed article.

Pickersgill, who had no legal representation, told Judge Colin Burn he was ex-armed forces and suffered with paranoid schizophrenia.

“I just wish it had never happened. I was off my head on drink and drugs and I’m ashamed of it, to be fair,” he said.

He told the court he was now free from drink and illegal drugs and had supported hostel accommodation waiting for him on his release.

Judge Burn jailed him for a total of four months, conceding that Pickersgill had health difficulties and was representing himself in court.