A NEWPORT man who threatened to "chin" a police officer while being arrested for breaching a court order has been sentenced.

David William Adams, of Cowes Road, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The 24-year-old admitted breaching a non-molestation order on April 9 and April 10.

He also admitted assaulting a police constable on April 16, at his home address in Newport.

Prosecutor, Ann Smout, told the court Adams and the victim had been in a relationship, but on June 4, last year, Adams was given a non-molestation order.

On April 9, Adams contacted the victim via text message, asking her to sign over her dog to him.

Mrs Smout said Adams did the same again on April 10, and the victim reminded him not to contact her.

The breach was reported to police and officers attended Adams' address.

Mrs Smout said Adams was not happy being handcuffed and threatened to knock one of the attending officers out.

She said it was a non-contact assault in which Adams told one officer he would "chin" him.

At the police station, Mrs Smout said he immediately apologised and admitted he'd overacted.

She said the aggrieved officer was clearly put in fear while trying to do his job.

The court heard Adams had no previous convictions, but had been cautioned in 2019 for assault.

Oscar Vincent, defending, said Adams' court order included non-contact, except in regard to a child.

He said the dog was owned by the victim, but there was a mutual agreement Adams would take care of it. The court heard Adams' motivation was simply to discuss the issue.

Mr Vincent argued it was not an unreasonable course of correspondence.

He said Adams was understandably surprised and upset about being arrested.

Adams was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £50 compensation to the police officer he assaulted.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £22 surcharge.