A MALVERN dad left a squad car dripping with saliva after lashing out at police trying to arrest him.

Droitwich magistrates heard the car had to be valeted after Michael Hunt's spit ran down the rear view mirror and covered the steering wheel.

But the 24-year-old - who minutes earlier had brandished a broom handle at police - blamed his behaviour on a medical condition he discovered on the internet and denied he was being abusive.

Mark Soper, prosecuting, said police were called to Hunt's home in Atyeo Close on Monday, December 18 after receiving reports of domestic violence.

"We needed to get into the house to make sure no one had been injured," said PC Ian Thompson, giving evidence.

"He approached me in a menacing manner, holding a broom handle as if he was going to come for me.

"He was very aggressive."

PC Thompson wrested the broom from Hunt after attempts to calm him down failed. His two young children were in the room at the time.

"They were clearly very upset and crying," he said.

"I asked Hunt to calm down for the sake of everyone."

Hunt was arrested for causing a breach of the peace, but once inside the squad car he became more aggressive and kicked the offside window, smashing it.

"He began spitting repeatedly all around the vehicle," said PC Thompson.

"I could see the spittle dripping from the steering wheel and slowly dripping from the rear view mirror."

Hunt also spat at the two officers.

The car was taken to be valeted as Hunt was driven to Worcester police station in a van.

A medical report read out by Zeb Khan, defending, said Hunt, who admitted two charges of criminal damage, had paranoid tendencies which made him aggressive.

He denied assaulting the police officers. But magistrates yesterday convicted him on both counts.

"I felt wary of PC Thompson," he said.

"Everything was escalating."

He said as he was a heavy smoker, there was a build up of saliva in his mouth which would spray people when he shouted.

His girlfriend, Georgina Atkins, said Hunt's arrest had made him "more stressed".

"He got on the defence because he doesn't like that sort of thing," said Miss Atkins.

The case was adjourned until Monday, June 18 for pre-sentence reports.