A MAN hurled excrement at a police surgeon despite admiring the work of the police force, a court was told.

Police used CS spray to quell Derek French, aged 44, after encountering him at Worcester Royal Infirmary on Friday, March 3.

Kerry Moreton, prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday, said French entered the nurses accommodation block in drunken state before walking into the porter's office.

"He told police officers who had been summoned for assistance that he was testing security," she said.

"He said, 'call yourselves security? You should wear red underpants over your trousers'."

The court heard French offered to fight the police and they sprayed him with CS spray before taking him to Deansway police station. He was put in a cell, but smeared it with excrement.

"He threw a piece of excrement at a police surgeon, hitting his briefcase," said Miss Moreton, adding that the clean-up operation had cost £50.

On Wednesday, March 1, French, of Bromyard Road, St John's, Worcester, had attacked a door at the front of Droitwich police station at 3.50am.

"He was shouting 'come on you bastards' as he shattered a pane of glass six foot by three foot," said Miss Moreton.

The court heard that a telephone unit had been ripped from its attachment outside the police station and was lying on the pavement as officers used CS spray on French and handcuffed him. The total damage had been put at £1,500.

French admitted two charges of criminal damage and one of using threatening behaviour.

He also admitted failing to attend court on Monday, March 6.

"My client has genuine admiration for the police and once considered applying to be a Special Constable," said Charles Hamer, defending.

He told the court French had suffered from a drink problem since the death of his mother in 1988.

The magistrates sentenced French to a year's probation and 80 hours' community service. He was told to pay £110 costs and a total of £550 compensation.