Police could have been a lot rougher with a man who spat at them when he was arrested at a boxing tournament.

Michael Graham Donovan, 29, of Salisbury Road, Gravesend admitted he deserved to be arrested when he lost his temper on the phone after leaving the tournament at The Glow, Bluewater's new leisure attraction.

He told the officer who charged him with common assault and public order offences: "Your officers did what they had to do.

"I deserved to be arrested for what I done - simple.

"They could have been a lot rougher with me."

He was ordered to pay £50 compensation to one of the officers he spat at, was given a 12 week prison sentence suspended for a year, and was ordered to pay £165 court costs.

Donovan owes over £3,000 to the courts, but was trying to fiught a drink problem.

Michael Wenban, the court chairman, said: "Don't let the court down. Don't let your partner down - and don't let your child down.

"If you fail, bring your toothbrush with you the next time you come to court."