AN unemployed Rowley Regis man who was downing a litre of whisky a day has avoided spending time behind bars after he assaulted two police officers in just four days.

Lee Foster, aged 39, grabbed the first officer around the neck after he had been refused entry to a public house where he was barred.

Then days later he left another officer in "stunned pain" when he kicked him on the head while being treated in hospital after being found slumped in the street in Oldbury.

The offences were described as "unpleasant disgusting behaviour" by Recorder Julian Taylor but he decided to give Foster one more chance to put his life back onto the rails.

He told him: "If you keep drinking a litre of whisky a day you are going to die. I am concerned that you get the help and support you need for your problems."

The Recorder added at Wolverhampton Crown Court: "Keep out of trouble. Do try and keep up with the alcohol education programme."

Foster, of Cakemore Road, admitted assaulting the two officers and breaching a 12 month prison sentence suspended for two years for possessing a blade.

He was given a four month jail term suspended for two years and fined £25 by the Recorder who warned him he would go straight into custody if he broke the law again.

Edward Soulsby, prosecuting, said Foster who had a previous conviction for assaulting a police officer carried out the first offence on April 30 and the second on May 3.

He told the court that after kicking the second officer on the head as he lay on a trolley at hospital Foster then took a drink of water and spat at him.

The offences were all drink related, said David Swinnerton, for Foster, who stressed his client also had problems involving anxiety and depression.

But he went on: "From being a thorough nuisance and worse he is now a changed man. His attitude has changed and he is making good progress with his life."