A PAINTER and decorator enraged over a parking ticket trapped a policewoman's arm in his van door and reversed into her.

Robin Pountney was working on a Bewdley pub when a traffic warden issued him with a ticket. He had spoken to PC Julie Adams on a previous occasion about the limited parking in the town centre.

In a fury, he drove off and found her talking to a resident in Load Street.

Father-of-two Pountney stormed over, branded her "a bitch" and waved the ticket at her, said Michael Anning, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court.

When she tried to return it as he sat back in his van, however, he shut the door on her arm and reversed four feet, striking her on the thigh. She needed hospital treatment for minor injuries.

The victim, who had been a policewoman for over 20 years, was caused "considerable distress" by the incident and was still unable to wear her uniform, said Mr Anning.

Pountney, 55, of Lancaster Road, Bewdley, pleaded guilty to assault, careless driving and failing to stop. Recorder Balraj Bhatia fined him £500 and ordered him to pay PC Adams £500 compensation.

Pountney, who is self-employed, was working at the Red Lion pub on May 21 last year when he got the ticket. After reversing into PC Adams, he drove off but was boxed in by other officers who gave chase.

Defence counsel Michael Aspinall said Pountney - of previous good character - wrongly assumed the officer had been responsible for the ticket. He was also worried about his wife, who had gone into hospital for an operation that morning.

He had been a decorator in the Bewdley area for 30 years and was well respected. Mr Aspinall said he had acted recklessly and "bitterly regretted" it.