A FORMER paratrooper has been ordered to pay compensation to police officers he spat at.

Officers were called to a house in Halstead where George Cullen, 47, had been arguing with a family member.

After investigating what had happened, officers decided to arrest Cullen for breach of the peace and take him to his home in York Garden, Braintree.

But as they attempted to restrain him, Cullen shoulder barged one officer and then spat hitting both police constables in the face.

Cullen admitted two counts of assaulting police officers when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court regarding the incident on October 22.

Peter Young, mitigating, said Cullen had left the Army after 20 years service in 2012 and had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

He said: "The cannot remember the incident.

"He is extremely ashamed and remorseful.

"He has sent letters to both officers to apologise."

Magistrates ordered Cullen to pay £100 compensation to both officers and £344 in other court charges.