A ROYAL Navy officer who dislocated a police officer’s thumb in a drink-fuelled assault on Remembrance Sunday told a court he had missed out on a promotion because of his actions.

Jason Richard Biddulph, of Wallasey, said he was “deeply ashamed and embarrassed” at the way he had behaved outside the Royal British Legion Social Club on Withens Lane last November.

The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in a public place and common assault on PC Gary Heywood when he appeared before Wirral Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Amanda Cullen told magistrates Biddulph, who has served with the Royal Navy for eight years, had recently returned from four months at sea.

He had attended the remembrance parade before visiting the Royal Navy Association and Royal British Legion where he had been drinking lager, whisky and rum from around noon.

PC Gary Heywood had been trying to calm Biddulph down when he arrived at the social club at around 6.15pm but was met with a torrent of verbal abuse and threats of violence.

The officer, who had been on patrol, had heard someone shout "I'm calling the police, stop fighting" before seeing Biddulph being restrained by another man.

He was arrested for being drunk and disorderly but as the officer attempted to put then handcuffs on him, Biddulph hit out, punching him in the hand and dislocating his left thumb.

Addressing the magistrates from the dock, Biddulph apologised for his actions and said he had “no one else to blame but himself”.

He said: “I deeply regret my behaviour on Sunday November 9. I am completely ashamed about the way I have conducted myself, I have never been in trouble with the police or been before the court before.

“I am thoroughly ashamed with the way I have behaved. I genuinely do not know where it came from as this was totally out of character.

“I had recently been recommended for promotion to Commissioned Officer but down to my behaviour, this has now been taken away from me already.”

Biddulph, who said he often carried out charity work, added: “I had just spent four months away without having any contact with my friends and family.

“I know that is not an excuse for being drunk – I should have had more self control but I clearly didn’t. I cannot express enough how embarrassed and disgusted I am at my behaviour.

“I have been terrified of attending court today and feel deeply ashamed of myself. I realise that I have got nobody to blame but myself.”

Imposing a £300 fine and ordering Biddulph to pay £200 compensation, £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge, chair of the bench Peter Sanders said: “It is a sad state of affairs when someone without a criminal record and in the armed forces makes a fool of himself but assaulting an officer in his line of duty, that has got to be dealt with.”