A MAN punched and spat at two police officers in the back of an ambulance after reacting badly to a "legal high", a court heard.

Robert Daniel Brown, of Oakgrove Road, Eastleigh, pleaded guilty at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on Friday to assaulting PC Tracey Holloway and PC James Osment.

Prosecuting, Nick Barr said at about 2.30pm on November 2 the two officers were on duty and walking along Salt Lane when they heard shouting coming from Rollestone Street. On turning the corner, they saw three women crouched over the defendant, who was conscious and breathing.

They were told the 34-year-old had smoked a legal high. He was described as “acting very oddly” and that his eyes appeared “very large”.

“They were trying to deal with him and it appears he was calm one moment and obtuse another moment,” said Mr Barr.

Mr Barr told the court Brown became aggressive, was breathing deeply and “kicked off”.

Concerned for his safety, Mr Barr said, the officers tried to handcuff Brown who was struggling with them. Another officer attended the scene.

He was then put in an ambulance with PC Osment, which is when the assaults took place.

Shouting was heard inside the ambulance and when the rear doors were open PC Holloway went inside and tried to handcuff the defendant.

The court heard while trying to restrain Mr Brown, PC Osment was punched. The defendant then spat in the two officers faces and he was arrested.

Mr Barr said when interviewed Brown accepted taking a legal high called Spice and that he said he had never experienced anything like it. He did not recall the incident and apologised for his behaviour.

In mitigation, the court heard Brown was a recovering heroin addict and that the Spice substance he had taken had caused him to hallucinate.

The case has been adjourned until December 11 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. He was released on unconditional bail.