A man from Wrexham who might have given a police officer hepatitis after spitting in his face has been sent to prison.

Robert Spruce, 56, of Pentre Gwyn in Caia Park, was yesterday jailed for 12 months at Mold Crown Court on Monday.

The court heard Spruce headbutted a bouncer in Wrexham town centre before going on to spit in the face of a police officer – who is now awaiting the results of tests for hepatitis C.

Judge Rhys Rowlands described the incident as “disgraceful and protracted” as he sentenced Spruce to 20 weeks for the headbutt and 32 weeks for the attack on the officer.

Karl Sholz, prosecuting, said: “Between Thursday night and Friday morning of February 9, supervisor Rhys Williams was working at a drinking place called New York New York when he had occasion to speak to a group and tell them to finish drinking.

“The defendant began shouting and saying ‘what have I done’ and saying they had no right to throw them out.

“He was ushered out by others but broke free and headbutted Rhys Williams to the mouth.”

Mr Sholz said Spruce was then dragged outside and detained by door staff, while he continued to shout abuse at them.

At this point, Mr Williams also struck Spruce to the face.

Mr Sholz added that when police officers arrived, Spruce resisted arrest before spitting in the face of one of the officers.

He said: “The officer spoke of how spit and blood went into his mouth and eye.

“The following day he attended hospital where he was advised it was a matter of waiting and seeing.”

In a victim impact statement, the officer spoke of how the incident was “possibly the worst incident that he had experienced in his career”.

Mr Sholz said: “There was concern that he had been infected as a result because he was told Spruce had been confirmed as having Hepatitis C, and the six month period before he knows if he has been infected or not has not yet expired. He’s been re-assured that the risk is low.”

The court heard Spruce had 36 previous convictions for 79 offences, with the last in 2008.

Mark Connah, defending, conceded the incident was “disgusting and entirely reprehensible”.

He said: “It appears from medical information that there was no active element of hepatitis in his blood and he was not infectious.

“It was when he was coming around from being punched to the face by the doorman that this incident occurred and it is not something that he recalls doing.

“He was in an emotional state as he had just recently lost his father and brother and his wife was diagnosed with cancer.”

Mr Connah said Spruce was “disgusted” with his own behaviour.

He asked for the judge to draw back from a custodial sentence.

Judge Rowlands decided that prison was necessary for the attack.

He said: “You were prepared to spit into somebody’s mouth believing you could carry hepatitis.

“The victims were both carrying out a public service and should expect the court to give them some level of protection in the course of their work.

“You behaved in quite the most revolting way and it is clear your behaviour has had a marked impact on both individuals.”

Following sentencing, Sgt Victor Powell, of North Wales Police, said: “Violent behaviour will not be tolerated and  anyone assaulting police officers carrying out their duties will be dealt with robustly through the full force of the law.”