A POLICE officer was subjected to a barrage of homophobic insults, with threats of violence by a 19-year-old student outside an Isle of Wight pub during the early hours of New Year's Day, a court was told.

Josiah Brent Bianchi, of Hearn Street, Newport, appeared for sentencing at the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Friday, July 14.

He admitted using threatening and abusive words and behaviour on January 1. 

When police arrived at The Hogshead in Newport — responding to an unrelated matter — Bianchi targeted one of the officers for vile, homophobic abuse, with threats of violence.

The incident lasted more than 25 minutes, said Anisa Alrubaie, prosecuting.

With no police van available to transport Bianchi after his arrest, the two officers walked him to Newport Police Station — with Bianchi struggling and continuing to be abusive all the while. 

One officer complained Bianchi's behaviour added four hours to his shift and messed up his plans with his wife.

A report was ordered on Bianchi, with no previous convictions.

Amy Hosell, defending, did not add mitigation on his behalf.

Magistrates handed Bianchi a nine-month probation order, which included him having to do 80 hours' unpaid work, with £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.