A priest on the island of Crete is facing charges after biting a police officer.

According to reports, the priest was was drunk and driving erratically on Sunday, when police pulled him over.

The incident, which occurred in the centre of Heraklion, saw the priest driving backwards through a number of streets, during which he caused an accident.

Police managed to stop him in front of the local court. Angry, the priest verbally abused the officers, and when one of the officers tried to do a breathalyser test, the priest bit him on the hand.

The priest is now facing charges for causing injury, insulting the police officers, and resisting arrest.