A FORMER heroin addict who threw a bin used for storing heroin syringes at a police officer's head is facing a jail sentence.

Ex-drug addict Robert Halesby picked up the needle bin while being booked in at Melksham police station on drink-driving charges.

One officer ducked but the bin caught PC Martin O'Neill square in the face.

Halesby pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, assaulting a police officer, failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance when he appeared before magistrates in Chippenham on Monday. He was remanded in custody until May 28.

The 31-year-old had been out on a drinking spree in Warminster with his family when an argument broke out on Friday.

Taking his sister's Peugeot from her drive in The Heathlands, Halesby flipped the car onto its roof in a crash.

The court was told he had a lengthy criminal record. Defence solicitor Alex Daymond said the frequency of the offences was worrying but added this latest incident was sparked by a "sudden loss of temper".

He said Halesby had battled hard to beat an addiction to heroin, adding: "He has turned his life around but it does seem drink is playing more of a part now."