A PERSHORE man assaulted a police officer outside an Evesham nightclub, a court has heard.

Marcin Hryciuk, 22, of Long Hedges, pleaded guilty to the assault on PC Buffery and to being drunk and disorderly in the incident in the early hours of October 25.

Jackie Rogers, prosecuting, told Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday, November 13, that police were out on patrol and intervened in an incident in which Hryciuk’s friend hit a member of Marilyns nightclub's door staff.

Officers tried to separate Hryciuk from his friend, who then began arguing with PC Buffery.

The officer explained that he would not be able to go with the friend as he was being taken to the police station, at which point Hryciuk became more aggressive.

After PC Buffery told him to calm down, there was a struggle on the ground near the club in Bridge Street. Hryciuk then locked his legs around Buffery’s neck and forced his head onto the pavement, Mrs Rogers said.

PC Buffery suffered a large lump to his neck, and cuts and bruises to his head. Pepper spray was used by another officer to gain control of the struggle.

Defending, Jo Outhwaite said it had begun with Hryciuk simply wanting to go home with his friend, but he became upset when they were arrested.

Ms Outhwaite said it had not been a deliberate assault, pointing out he had not used a clenched fist. She said Hryciuk had accepted responsibility for his actions and that it should not have got to that point.

Hryciuk was ordered to pay £255 for the assault, £85 for being drunk and disorderly, compensation of £150, costs of £135, a victim surcharge of £26 and a criminal court charge of £150 – a total of £801.