A MAN who turned on police who went to give him a lift home after a drunken night out has pleaded guilty to assaulting and resisting them.
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John Joseph Burgoyne appeared in Tamworth Local Court this week for the first time since the attack in Tamworth the early hours of June 29.
At the time, senior Oxley police labelled it a "disgusting attack" and a "pretty low act" because the officers were "acting in good faith and tried to ensure this intoxicated man got home safely".
The 40-year-old was accused of punching an officer in the face and resisting police when they tried to give him a lift home.
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Burgoyne was initially charged with five offences, but in court he pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting police in the execution of their duty; possessing a prohibited drug; and resisting police.
Another charge of assaulting police causing actual bodily harm, and resisting police were dropped by prosecutors, following the guilty pleas.
Magistrate Julie Soars has adjourned the case for sentencing in October.
Police had been called to the service station on Marius Street about 1.15am after reports Burgoyne was drunk and causing a disturbance.
After speaking with him, police decided to give Burgoyne a lift home for safety reasons.
It was the police case when they opened the back door of the police van, he set upon the two officers, punching a leading senior constable in the face.
A struggle ensued and police said they were forced to deploy capsicum spray at the time before Burgoyne was arrested.