A cocaine user who bit a police officer after choking his mum has escaped a prison sentence.

Lee Smith, of Sylvia Way, Dagenham, had to be restrained by his father George after grabbing his mother round the throat on April 16.

He then went on to smash a landline telephone – valued at £50 – as she tried to call the police from her home in Spurling Road.

When police later arrived – George dialing 999 on his phone – the 30-year-old bit Pc Greenhalgh on the thumb as she tried to arrest him.

Smith was given a 12-month community order at Barkingside Magistrates Court this morning, which included a six-month drug rehabilitation course.

He was also forced to pay costs of £135 plus a victim surcharge of £60.

Deputy district judge Rev Shlomo Kreiman said: “If you fail to complete your course you’ll return here before the court again with more unpleasant results for you at the end of it.”