FURIOUS at being issued with a parking ticket in Ely city centre, Paul Harrison pushed a PCSO in the chest as he complained. Harrison had parked in a disabled bay while visiting a cash machine at Barclays Bank – and swore when he realised that PCSO Paul M

FURIOUS at being issued with a parking ticket in Ely city centre, Paul Harrison pushed a PCSO in the chest as he complained.

Harrison had parked in a disabled bay while visiting a cash machine at Barclays Bank - and swore when he realised that PCSO Paul Murphy was writing out a ticket.

Getting into his van, Harrison swore and was warned about his language, but continued to be abusive.

"The defendant got out of his vehicle, and said: "Do you want to make something of it?" Ely magistrates were told by prosecutor Laura Mardell.

"He was in a fighting stance," she said. The PCSO pushed his emergency button to summon help, and he was pushed in the chest by Harrison.

"The PCSO suffered no injury, but the push did take his breath away," added Miss Mardell. "The PCSO says there have been a lot of complaints about parking in the High Street."

Mitigating, solicitor Michael Judkins said Harrison, of New Barns Avenue, Ely, had parked for 30 seconds, and had left his van keys in the ignition.

"It was because of the officer's statement of intent to write out a ticket that my client became annoyed," he explained. "A warning might have been appropriate."

Harrison's doctor has referred him for anger management sessions, added Mr Judkins.

After admitting a charge of assault, Harris was fined �200 with �85 costs and a �15 surcharge.

Presiding magistrate Janet South told Harris: "People doing a job of work like a PCSO do not deserve to be treated in this manner; they are trying to keep out streets safe.