A BUILDER from Windermere has been fined £500 for assaulting a police officer who was dealing with a disturbance at a Christmas do.

Gary Hindle, of Mill Brow in Droomer, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency services worker when he appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court last Wednesday.

The 38-year-old had been out with colleagues on a work night out on December 20 when police were called to the Grey Walls Hotel in Elleray Road.

Prosecutor Pam Ward told magistrates: "When PC Latham arrived he saw a number of police vehicles so he stayed outside.

"Some males walked towards him and the defendant said 'there's enough police here'.

"He held his mobile phone six inches from the officer's face who pushed it away.

"The officer said the defendant swung at him with his left hand.

"The pair fell to the floor and he was detained and handcuffed."

During police interview Hindle said he had been on a works do and had drunk between 10 and 12 pints of lager.

"He accepted responsibility and said it was out of character and he was remorseful for his actions," Mrs Ward added.

Defence solicitor John Halewood-Dodd said Hindle has four children and is a self-employed builder.

"He had not been out drinking at this level for over 18 months," Mr Halewood-Dodd said.

"He is a father of two young twin girls and he has played a great role in their upbringing; his wife also works, so he's not really had the opportunity to go out drinking."

Magistrates were given a character reference from the local fire station officer.

The solicitor added that although Hindle had little recollection of the incident he fully accepted the offence.

"At the hotel there was an incident which didn't involve him or his party but they decided to leave," he said.

"His brother was being ushered out and he decided to record it. As the officer swiped the phone away he pushed back and it was an instant reaction.

"It wasn't an intentional assault it was a reckless assault.

"It wasn't his intention to injure the officer."

Hindle was fined £500 and ordered to pay £100 compensation to PC Latham.

He was also told to pay £85 court costs and a £50 victim surcharge.