A MAN who smashed a mug over the head of a policeman as he tried to arrest him was given a suspended prison sentence at Newport crown court.

Judge Roderick Denyer told 30-year-old Mark Parker he was "way out of order" on an afternoon in August 2007 when police officers came to his home on Brynithel's Mount Pleasant Estate to search for a stolen jet ski.

Parker's home was targeted following a tip-off, and the court was told the officers found him outside working on a car. He agreed to let them search his garden shed, but became aggressive and abusive when they asked if they could search the house, and said that unless they had a warrant they could not.

He was warned, but went inside to an upstairs window from where he encouraged his dog to attack the officers. They managed to shut the dog in the shed and Parker then came to the door.

But as an officer attempted to arrest him for a public order offence Parker struggled with him around the kitchen, smashing a mug over the officer's head. Despite being blinded by blood from the wound, the officer got Parker in a headlock and another pepper-sprayed him.

Interviewed by police later, Parker claimed the officers had been aggressive and attacked him first.

Parker pleaded guilty to affray. Judge Denyer was told he had a previous conviction for violence, involving alcohol, but had since stopped drinking.

A pre-sentence report contained testimonials on his behalf, but highlighted literacy problems that frustrate his attempts to get a job.

Judge Denyer sentenced him to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years.

"You were way out of order that afternoon. It is clear you came off second best but basically, it is just not on to fight with police officers," he said, warning that further offences are likely to activate the prison sentence.

Parker was also ordered to complete 120 hours' unpaid work and take part in an education, training and employment activity specified by the probation service.