Police officers pepper-sprayed a Kwik Fit technician to stop him grabbing a pint of milk while responding to a domestic incident.

Paul Whitehead was handcuffed and initially compliant with police but became violent when he was stopped from picking up a pint of milk and threatened the officers.

Prosecutor, Kelly Cyples told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court: “One of the officers used PAVA spray and the defendant said ‘come on, I’ll take all three of you’.

“When interviewed he stated officers said he was being aggressive as they tried to get him through a space they wouldn’t all fit through.”

The court heard how the Kwik Fit technician faced losing his job if he had been jailed.

Recorder Julian Taylor said: “This is a concerning pattern of behaviour.

“There was a struggle with police and you were sprayed.

“Because you did co-operate originally I have decided it is not in anyone’s interest for you to go to prison, but you came close.”

Whitehead must now pay £200 costs.