A BUS driver headbutted a police officer after watching the football in Hereford.

Anthony Wilson admitted assaulting a police officer acting in the course of their duties by beating and resisting police when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police were called to reports of a possible drink-driver in Hereford's Commercial Road on July 11, prosecutor Elizabeth Blacklock said.

On arrival, they found other officers with Wilson, who was behaving in an aggressive manner.

Officers tried to reason with him, but he swore at them before walking up to one officer and "getting in his face," Miss Blacklock said.

Wilson, who officers said smelled of alcohol and was slurring his words, was arrested after pushing the officer in the chest.

But as police tried to cuff him, he became resistant, swearing and headbutting a policeman.

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Adrian Roberts, for Wilson, said the 40-year-old, who works as a bus driver for Yeomans, had recently come to Hereford to start afresh.

"His father had died in April and he was grieving," Mr Roberts said.

The court heard Wilson, who suffers from depression, had also fallen out with family members and was in a dark place at the time.

"This was on the night that England lost in the football, and he says he had a blow out," Mr Roberts said.

"He then got involved in an incident, which he should not have done. He does not accept that he deliberately headbutted the police officer, but says he was thrashing around.

"His girlfriend is not happy, his boss is not happy, and he is not happy with himself either."

Wilson, of Kingsway, Hereford, was fined £690 and ordered to pay compensation of £100. He must also pay costs of £85 and a £45 victim surcharge.