A DRIVER with no licence punched a special constable in the face when challenged by police.

James Bradley struck the officer in Barnards Green, Malvern. The 33-year-old, previously of Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall, admitted assaulting an emergency worker, driving without a licence and insurance on January 18 this year when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court yesterday. Bradley also admitted failing to surrender to bail.

Amiee Parkes, prosecuting, said officers noticed the Volkswagen Passat''s front numberplate was being displayed in the front passenger seat window, obscured by windscreen wipers.

When spoken to by officers Bradley, the driver, was described as becoming 'obstructive' and provided a false insurance document which the judge said had been an attempt 'to fob him off'. Bradley told a female officer 'what do you know - you're a woman'.

Special constable Blake attempted to stop Bradley escaping by grabbing hold of him. "He(Bradley) turned around and swung a clenched fist at the officer, striking him once to the side of his head with his fist" said Miss Parkes.

Bradley was struck with a police baton and subdued with PAVA spray.

Jason Aris, for Bradley, said the injury to the officer had not been particularly serious but there was 'some swelling and contusion' to his head.

He said the assault was not sustained and his client, a qualified electrician, had admitted the offence at the first opportunity before the crown court.

"He accepts full responsibility for his regrettable actions which I would submit are out of character for him" said Mr Aris.

He said Bradley had spent the equivalent of a three month prison sentence on curfew and had also spent four days in custody after he was remanded. "It felt like four years" said Mr Aris.

Judge Robert Juckes QC said he had thought he would have to impose an immediate custodial sentence and he would have done so had it not been for the time Bradley had spent on curfew and in custody.

The judge sentence him to four months suspended for 12 months and placed him on a 12 month community order which will include 150 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Juckes also placed him on a three month curfew between 7pm and 6am daily. For the licence and no insurance offences he imposed 11 penalty points.