A 'PERSISTENT' offender has been given a suspended sentence after swearing and assaulting a police officer.

Carl Bainbridge, aged 31, pushed and attempted to punch a police community support officer after he was asked to leave Lowesmoor, in Worcester.

The incident happened on Sunday, February 26, after two officers advised Bainbridge not to drink in an alcohol controlled zone.

PC Dave Wise said: "Carl then began to stagger through the street, bumping into members of the public, before slumping down in a doorway and swearing at passers-by.

"Officers again advised him about his behaviour but he continued to shout and swear in front of members of the public.

"He then stood up and repeatedly shoved a PCSO in the chest and attempting to punch him."

Bainbridge was then arrested and charged with assaulting a designated/accredited person and breaching an antisocial behaviour order.

PCSO Harley Youngs, of the Worcester Cathedral ward, said: "Carl Bainbridge is a persistent offender.

"He has breached his criminal behaviour order a number of times and anymore breaches mean he will serve time inside.

"We take any assault on police very seriously."

Bainbridge, aged 31, appeared at Redditch Magistrates Court and was sentenced to twelve weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, for breaching his criminal behaviour order.

He was also given a two week sentence, suspended for a year, for assaulting a police officer.

Bainbridge, who admitted both charges, was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to the officer and a £150 victim surcharge.

His criminal behaviour order was issued on August 20, 2014, and prohibits him from drinking in alcohol controlled zones, using offensive words or behaviour around members of the public, spitting in public in a way which could cause alarm or distress and urinating in a public place.