An alcoholic jockey has begged magistrates not to tag him - because he would not be able to get his riding boots on to compete in races.

Robert Miles, 26, from Kingscroft Road, Banstead, was at Redhill Magistrates' Court yesterday after assaulting a police officer earlier in the year.

The case is the latest twist in the turbulent career of the jockey who once rode 35 winners as a top apprentice in 2004.

A year after gaining that stunning record he was handed a six-month ban after testing positive for drugs. It was this incident which he claimed pushed him into drink and drugs.

Miles, who rides for John Akehurst's Tattenham Corner stable, had been drinking heavily in April when was spotted by police in Banstead High Street shouting and acting aggressively.

When officers approached him he refused to calm down and began to direct his volley of abuse towards them. As he was being arrested a struggle took place, during which one of the officers suffered a minor arm injury.

Miles' solicitor told the court it was not unheard of for jockeys to develop drink problems and asked them to take into consideration how hard his client was working to get help.

Magistrates were also told the tag could become damaged while racing. The defendant's solicitor, however, went further and claimed it "would deprive him of his occupation".

Lead magistrate Carole Fairclough said: "It has been difficult to sentence correctly in this case."

Mrs Fairclough said although it was apparent Miles was suffering from alcohol problems, he still needed to be punished.

After agreeing not to make Miles wear a tag, magistrates gave him a 12-month community order. He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation and £87 costs.

Miles is recovering from a broken collar bone and expects to be able to start racing again later this month.