A TIPSY do-gooder who gave an officer a black eye while protecting a friend did not realise his punches connected, Colchester magistrates were told.

Daniel Welham admitted to assaulting PC Stott and obstructing PC Brown while they were called to an address in Tangerine Close, Colchester.

Before the officers knew it, they were outnumbered outside by Welham, the suspect and another friend who stopped an officer from driving away and making an arrest.

Welham, 34, stood in between PC Stott and his friend and also in front of police cars, the court heard.

Mo Miah, prosecuting, said the officer pushed Welham in the chest for him to move.

He said: “He then came at the officer again, asking, ‘Why are you pushing me?’ and became aggressive.

“The officer thought Welham would punch him so he pushed him again and had to get hold of his clothing and take him off the highway.”

However, Beacon House volunteer Welham, was hospitalised after the melee.

His nose was broken in two places and he had black eyes.

But he passed out at the back of the police van when arrested on April 17 so only vaguely remembered the fracas.

Matthew Swash, mitigating, said: “The defendant sees what’s happening in the street and comes out.

“He feels the police are being heavy-handed with the man and the officer admits to pushing Welham at least twice in the chest.

“Given there was two officers and three males, they rightly felt outnumbered.”

Mr Swash mentioned Welham’s five-and-a-half years of good character and that he volunteers twice a week.

He added: “He was stupid, he understands that.”

However, chairman of the bench, Mr Hinson, branded his behaviour as unacceptable.

Welham, of Hickory Avenue, Colchester, was fined £270.