An off duty police officer was attacked as he walked to work because he refused to give a thug a cigarette, a court heard.
Lincoln magistrates were told the West Ealing carpet and window cleaner had just made off with £20 worth of petrol from a city store before driving along Burton Road where he saw the officer who was walking to work at the local police station.
Jim Clare, prosecuting, said the officer heard people shouting from a car window as the vehicle approached him from behind. The defendant then got out and asked in a “cocky” manner for a “fag.”
“The officer said he was sorry but he didn’t smoke,” Mr Clare said.
“The defendant continued to walk towards him aggressively and again asked for a cigarette and again the officer refused. The officer told the man to back off but the defendant punched him in the face several times.”
The court was told that the officer was taken to hospital. His nose was bloody, his eye was blacked, and his face was bruised.
The 25 year old admitted assault and making off without paying for petrol on April 30 this year.
John Bradley, representing, said the defendant was working to turn his life around and had set up the carpet and window cleaning service. A letter from an associate was handed to the court.
Magistrates said the man narrowly missed being sent to jail. They felt a community penalty would be more appropriate. He was sentenced to a 12 month community order with curfew and electronic tag for four months. He also has to attend a general offending behaviour programme.
He also has to pay £100 compensation to his victim and £30 costs.