Jayden Anthony Wheeler sentenced in Southport District Court for biting officer on hand

A Gold Coast police officer was forced to undergo disease testing after being bitten by a man who was visiting the Gold Coast.

A GOLD Coast police officer was forced to undergo disease testing after he was bitten by a man living with hepatitis C.

The man responsible, Jayden Anthony Wheeler, was already on parole for another police assault in New South Wales when he bit the officer on July 28.

The Southport District Court heard Wheeler, 26, was arrested at Miami for breaching the peace and became verbally abusive and struggled with officers.

He was taken to the Southport watch house where he had appeared to have calmed down, but soon became aggressive and lunged at one officer.

It was during a struggle with several officers he bit one of them on the left hand.

The court heard the officer was forced to undergo six months of disease testing and was told Wheeler was hepatitis C positive.

The officer was only notified in January that the results had returned negative.

One officer involved in the struggle was present in court during the proceedings.

On Tuesday Wheeler pleaded guilty to four offences including serious assault of police officer by biting and spitting.

Judge Katherine McGinness said the officer suffered great stress and anxiety during that disease testing period and continued to feel the impacts.

Defence barrister Halley Robertson conceded he was on parole at the time of the offence.

She said Wheeler was only visiting the Gold Coast for a few days, with his now ex-partner, when the offence occurred.

He has since spent 212 days in custody.

Ms Roberston said Wheeler, who had taken valium and had been drinking on the night of the offence, was remorseful for his actions and wished to return to New South Wales.

She said her client suffered a fractured eye socket in the struggle and was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital.

Wheeler will now face a parole hearing in New South Wales.

Ms McGinness sentenced Wheeler to 18 months prison, with immediate parole.