A POLICE officer who had to draw his baton and use CS spray on abusive Thomas Constable was refused any compensation by magistrates this week. PC Neil Evans suffered cuts and grazes to his hand and his watch was broken during the incident near the Paradis

A POLICE officer who had to draw his baton and use CS spray on abusive Thomas Constable was refused any compensation by magistrates this week.

PC Neil Evans suffered cuts and grazes to his hand and his watch was broken during the incident near the Paradise Sports Centre in Ely.

But at the city courthouse on Thursday, presiding magistrate Bryant Watson announced that 21-year-old Constable would not have to pay compensation.

"We have looked at the police role in this matter, they have to face this sort of behaviour in their normal working life," he said.

Constable, who admitted disorderly behaviour, was fined £160 with £60 costs and a £15 surcharge.

Prosecutor Laura Mardell told how police went to Deacons Lane following the report of a fight just before midnight on August 15. Constable was found urinating and slumped against a wall, as if he was having difficulty in standing.

Constable shouted abuse, he smelled of alcohol, and his fists were clenched when PC Neil Evans stood in front of him.

"The officer drew his baton and the defendant backed off," said Miss Mardell. "But when the officer asked for his details, he continued to swear and shout, and waved his arms about."

"When the decision was made to arrest him, Constable took a step towards the officer, squared up to him and puffed his chest out," she said. "The officer was concerned so took out his CS gas, and when the defendant lunged towards him, he was sprayed in the face."

Constable, of Ten Mile Bank, Littleport, continued to approach PC Evans, throwing his fists in the air, in an attempt to punch the officer.

"Police took him to the ground using two knee strikes," she said. "But he continued to swear at the police."

Constable, who was given a nine-month jail sentence for resisting police back in February, told the court: "I am ashamed of what I did. But I don't think that is what happened, they embellished it a bit, but what I say won't make any difference.