A JUDGE has given a man who assaulted a police officer one last opportunity to change.

Benjamin Parkinson was given a suspended sentence after admitting assault and criminal damage on Thursday, October 8.

Worcester Magistrates Court was told that Parkinson, aged 20, had kicked a police sergeant in the back of the leg when he was arrested after a row with a neighbour.

Sallie Hewitt, prosecuting, said Parkinson, of Poplar Avenue, Brickfields, had argued with the neighbour about money. During the row, he pushed the neighbour’s door, causing the top pane of glass to break.

Police were called after Parkinson later returned to the neighbour’s house and started banging on the door.

Miss Hewitt said: “He was arrested and became aggressive while being put in the police vehicle. He kicked out at the rear of the sergeant’s leg and was abusive throughout, threatening officers.”

The court was told that, in interview, Parkinson said he was drunk and could not remember anything about it. He apologised to the police officer.

District judge Bruce Morgan said that drunkenness was not a defence.

He described Parkinson’s record of previous convictions – which included two other assaults on police officers – as appalling.

He said: “This is going to be your last opportunity.”

He sentenced him to three months’ imprisonment for the assault and one month, to run concurrently, for the criminal damage, both suspended for 18 months.

Parkinson was given a community order and told to pay £100 compensation to the officer, £100 for the damage and £85 costs.