A nurse who kicked a police officer in the face while being restrained has been ordered by a court to pay more than £1,300 after pleading guilty to assaulting an emergency worker.
Police officers rushed to the custody cell at Newtown Police Station on June 6 over fears that John Nicholson would self-harm, Welshpool Magistrates' Court heard.
Two officers restrained the 31-year-old onto a mattress who then screamed insults and kicked Police Constable Thomas Woosnam in the face.
Nicholson, of Lant Avenue, Llandrindod Wells, was fined £833, and ordered to pay £50 compensation to the police officer, a £333 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.
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Chair of the magistrates' bench Cynthia McVey told Nicholson: "You were arrested for your own protection, The incident happened when you were being restrained for your own welfare.
"We have heard that you're engaged with the psychiatric service. Having considered these, we note there was no physical injury, but we accept that being kicked in the face must have been very unpleasant and upsetting".
Shane Maddocks, prosecuting, told the court that PC Woosnam was on duty on June 6 when he became aware that officers needed assistance.
"Officers had gone into the cell to check on the defendant who became aggressive and started to rush towards the officers," he said.
"Due to his nature, the officers took hold of his arms, and he was taken down to the mattress. PC Woosnam restrained his legs and the defendant started screaming insults and kicked him in the face with force."
Robert Hanratty, defending, said police were called to Nicholson's home in Llandrindod Wells because the 31-year-old dialysis nurse was going through a mental health episode at the time.
Mr Hanratty said: "He was taken into custody for his own protection and recent escalation. He was extremely stressed over his health. He has bipolar. He had self-referred to a psychiatrist.
"This is a one-off incident as far this defendant is concerned.
"He has patchy memory of the incident. He was very stressed over his health. He was taken into custody and restrained for his own welfare. while under restraint he was kicking and struggling. He was told an officer was kicked in the face - he couldn't see the officer in the struggle - and he didn't mean it."
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