A MUSSELBURGH man who punched and headbutted a man during a violent episode in Edinburgh also ended up attempting to bite a policeman during his arrest.

John Reid, 28, butted and repeatedly punched Innes Dundas in the city centre earlier this year.

Reid was soon detained following the fight but decided to tell officers that his name was John Stenhouse in a bid to escape prosecution. He also informed the officers of a different date of birth.

Reid, c/o The Mercat, High Street, Haddington, was then taken to St Leonard’s Police Station, where he proceeded to try and bite a police officer.

Reid pleaded guilty to three charges, with three further charges being dropped by the Crown, when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last Tuesday.

Sheriff Cottam placed Reid on supervision for 18 months and told him that he must also carry out 210 hours of unpaid work in the community.

Reid will also have to pay Mr Dundas £100 compensation.

Reid admitted assaulting Innes Dundas by butting him to the head and repeatedly punching him to the head and body at South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh, on April 5.

He also admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice by pretending to two police officers his name was John Stenhouse and assaulting PC Laurence Bowden at St Leonard’s Police Station by attempting to bite him on the body, both on the same date.