A MAN has been told to pay £100 compensation to a police officer he attacked at a Flintshire hotel.

Derek Bourne elbowed the officer while he was being arrested following a “commotion” at the Chequers House Hotel in Northop Hall in the early hours of June 10.

Prosecutor Helen Tench told Flintshire Magistrates Court that the officer suffered two cuts and reddening to his face and Bourne was described as being “extremely aggressive” during the incident.

The prosecutor read an impact statement from a supervising officer explaining how attacks on officers had a detrimental effect on North Wales Police resources.

But magistrates ruled the court did not need to hear the details after defence solicitor David Matthews accused the prosecutor of being forced to read out a “political statement”.

“For my friend to be used in this way for reading out what is a political statement by a higher ranking officer is quite outrageous," said Mr Matthews.

"It is a blatant attempt to influence an independent judicial sentencing procedure."

He told the Mold court Bourne had been away with his wife for the weekend, but she experienced a mental health episode and had self-harmed.

The police were called and initially thought his wife’s wounds had been inflicted by him.

“He struggled with the officers, but afterwards immediately apologised.

"As a result of his reckless behaviour the officer was caught on the chin.

"He is ashamed that at his age he has lost his good character,” added Mr Matthews.

Bourne, 41, of Bradshaw Street, Orrell, Wigan, admitted assaulting an officer in the execution of his duty and was fined £40 as well as having to pay the compensation to the police officer.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £35 and a victim surcharge of £30.