A MAN has been jailed for three months after punching a police community support officer in "a fit of rage".

Paul Lucitt admitted assault after he ran at community support officer Barry Hale and punched him in the ear following a bust-up with a motorist.

Mr Hale suffered a cut ear lobe, felt dizzy, complained of whiplash and had to sit down following the unprovoked attack at cathedral island in Worcester city centre on Friday, February 8.

Lucitt, aged 18, of Portefields Road, Tolladine, Worcester, appeared before city magistrates yesterday where he admitted assaulting a community support officer in the execution of his duties.

Douglas Marshall, prosecuting, said two community support officers had observed Lucitt, who had drunk one- and-a-half bottles of cider, having an argument with a motorist who drove off.

Mr Marshall said: "Mr Lucitt appeared upset and agitated and the community support officer asked him, "Are you alright mate?"

He then ran towards both officers and was described as being "in a fit of rage".

He covered the ground so quickly that the officer was not able to activate his emergency panic button.

He swung one right-handed punch at the community support officer and he managed to duck under to avoid it. But he was then struck in his left ear.

He pushed Mr Lucitt back and he fell on his backside. He then made further attempts to attack the officer."

It was a member of the public who eventually brought Lucitt under control, Mr Marshall said. Mark Lister, defending, said Lucitt was working as a builder with his girlfriend's father but had ambitions to be a plasterer.

He said: "He would like to apologise through me to the officer.

His girlfriend is expecting their first child in August.

"He needs to work on his qualifications throughout the pregnancy and once the child is born."

The offence activated a six-month suspended prison sentence imposed in November.

Mr Lucitt, who was seen to blow a kiss to his pregnant girlfriend at the start of the hearing, was given two months in prison for activating the suspended sentence and a further month for the assault on the community support officer.