A HOMELESS alcoholic has been jailed for two months for spitting in a police car and trying to headbutt a policeman in a booze-fuelled fracas.

Michael Houston, 42, admitted assaulting a police officer, criminal damage, being drunk and disorderly and breaching a court order on January 15 and 16.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday police were called to his former address in Dooley Road, Halstead, on January 15 after Houston’s mother complained he was abusing her.

When police intervened, Houston tried to headbutt an officer.

He was taken to hospital as he claimed to have taken an overdose.

The following day police were called to a pub in Colchester Road to find Houston being drunk and abusive again.

When they arrested him he started spitting inside the Ford Focus police car.

He then told an officer: “I hope your wife and kids die in a house fire. When I see your wife I’m going to burn her.”

Houston admitted breaching a conditional discharge from court for being drunk and disorderly.

He also faces an Asbo application, but this was adjourned yesterday for two weeks. Louise Reader, mitigating, said Houston was an alcoholic and was currently homeless.

“It’s something he has battled for a considerable time and has brought him to the courts on a number of occasions.”

She said he accepted his comments to police were unpleasant.

She added: “He is very realistic about his circumstances.

“He doesn’t want to continue in the same vein. He does want to make a change.

“He has made efforts with detox – clearly that hasn’t been enough.

“While prison is intended to be a punishment he feels it will start his rehabilitation.”