A MAN who kicked a police officer during a night time incident in Kendal town centre has heard he could receive a prison sentence.

When Wayne Pye appeared at Carlisle Crown Court this morning (October 1), he admitted one offence of assaulting an emergency worker - a police constable on duty in the Highgate area of Kendal just after 8pm on July 6.

Judge Nicholas Barker was told this involved a kick by 45-year-old Pye to the officer, who was not injured but suffered “slight reddening”.

Judge Barker declined to punish Pye straight away, and adjourned the case for the probation service to prepare a pre-sentence report.

Pye, of Glebe Road, Kendal, is due to receive his sentence at the crown court on November 2, was told “all options” would be considered and was granted unconditional bail until that date.

“Your plea of guilty will stand you in good stead. You will receive your credit for it,” he was told by the judge.

“But assaulting police officers when they are undertaking their lawful duty is always a serious matter whether it causes visible injury or not.

“Police officers are not there to be the butt of frustration or drunken violence by others. They are there to serve the community.”