A karate teacher, who admitted assaulting a police officer while being drunk and disorderly, has received a community punishment order.

Connie Payne, 26, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court yesterday for sentencing. She had admitted the charges at an earlier hearing.

Magistrates ordered Payne, of Hunt's Drive, Writtle, to complete 160 hours work in the community for the assault and pay £120 compensation to the police officer.

For the charge of being drunk and disorderly there was no separate penalty.

Lorraine Webb, prosecuting, said in the early hours of December 21, police were called to a disturbance in The Green, Writtle.

Payne was swearing and because of her manner the police officer raised his arm to protect his face, the court heard.

Miss Webb said the officer was kicked two or three times on the arm and he was forced to restrain her.

She said he also received kicks to the shins.

Peter Barlex, mitigating, said: "This is an incident very much out of character."

Published Tuesday, February 1, 2005

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