A DRUNKEN farmer who resisted what turned out to be his wrongful arrest, was ordered to pay a policewoman compensation after he scratched her finger in the struggle.

Konrad Ciecierzynski admitted common assault of an emergency worker, namely a police officer, at his home on Beaper Shute, Brading, on May 22.

Police had visited his farm following a report of an incident and the flouting of a restraining order, which later turned out to be "completely wrong", said Liz Miller, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court. it related to a different person, the court heard.

Officers tried to restrain Ciecierzynski, 35 — who was verbally abusive and used threats — and took him to the floor.

Ciecierzynski had, at some stage of the struggle, dug his fingers into the victim's finger, which slightly cut it, the bench was told.

"He was drunk and understandably upset at being arrested," said Miss Miller.

The dad-of-six last appeared before Island magistrates in 2019, convicted of inflicting actual bodily harm, for which he was jailed.

For Ciecierzynski, James Cameron said his client got upset when the police arrived.

"He was exasperated because the restraining order in question was not in relation to him. It was a different person entirely," said Mr Cameron.

"The police later had to concede they were mistaken.

"He accepts he did resist, but he had been taken to the floor. He doesn't recall a great deal of what happened and was unaware he caught the officer's finger.

"He didn't intend to do it, but because he had been drinking, it was deemed to be a reckless assault. It was a slight scratch.

"He apologises for injuring the officer, but feels a little aggrieved he had been arrested in the first place."

Magistrates said although he was drunk, Ciecierzynski had a certain amount of mitigation in his favour and handed him a 12-month conditional discharge, with £85 costs and a £22 victim surcharge.

Ciecierzynski was also told to play the injured officer £50 compensation.