A DEESIDE man has been given a second chance by magistrates, despite trying to bite a police detention officer during a violent struggle.

Jonathon Mark Davies, of Salisbury Street, Shotton, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker at Llay Custody Suite.

Rhian Jackson, prosecuting at North East Wales Magistrates Court, said Davies was arrested on March 19 after breaching the terms of a restraining order and taken to Llay Custody Suite at about 8.45pm.

On arrival he was "violent and threatening" and detention officer Mark Jones was called to assist a police officer in dealing with Davies who told them: "If I don't have a fag I will kick off."

Davies, 32, began struggling and resisting as the officers held him and Mr Jones said he feared he was going to be headbutted.

After getting Davies into a holding room he continued to struggle and kicked Mr Jones' shin as well as trying to headbutt him and attempting to bite his hands.

Mr Jones described how Davies kicked out "several times" before punching him in the groin whereupon he fell on the panic alarm.

Leg restraints had to be applied to Davies who was then carried to a cell.

Ms Jackson said Davies had breached the terms of a restraining order not to come into contact with his ex-partner but had visited her "reluctantly" at her request while she was in hospital giving birth to their baby.

She said given the circumstances of the breach it had been decided not to charge Davies, who had three previous convictions for assault, for the offence but at the time of the offence in March he was also the subject of a 12 month suspended sentence for an assault committed on August 6.

The Mold court heard from probation officer Johnny Beblin who said Davies was "becoming a model client" and making great progress.

Ramsey Morsy of drug charity Kaleidoscope said he had been working closely with Davies who was "showing excellent potential".

"I have every confidence he will progress," added Mr Morsy, who said Davies had abstained from taking drugs for a number of months.

Sentencing Davies, magistrates chairwoman Deborah McKinnel said she would extend his suspended sentence to 15 months and impose a 12 month community order to include a 20 day rehabilitation requirement.

Ms McKinnel said: "It is sad to listen to what has been said because you have a fairly comprehensive support package behind you.

"We say go out and embrace this.

"You have done so well, so start at the beginning and your little boy will be proud of you."

Davies will also pay £80 compensation to Mr Jones, £85 costs and a victim surcharge of £85.