Man punched police officer in face

From the archive, first published Wednesday 11th Apr 2007.

A MAN appeared in court after he punched a police officer in the face and made his nose bleed.

Stuart Sargent, 23, admitted assaulting the officer but said he was too drunk to remember it happening.

Glenda Thompson,

prosecuting, said the assault had happened in July last year after police were called to a report of a fight in the early hours near Sargent's home in Albert Road, Southend.

When they arrived, one of the officers saw Sargent walking along the road and shouted at him to come back. When he did not, the officer chased him.

Mrs Thompson said: "The officer placed a hand on his arm and the defendant began struggling with the officer. Then he struck the officer with a closed fist."

She said the policeman had felt an "instant pain and blood coming from his nose" but continued to struggle with the defendant.

The officer did not suffer serious injuries, but had soreness to the area around his nose for days afterwards.

Glen Bartlett, defending, said: "He didn't know it was an officer that was about to touch him. He turned around to brush the person away."

Sargent was given 12 months' probation and ordered to complete 60 hours' unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £150 costs and £100 compensation.