A MAN who assaulted an officer and then began harassing her after his arrest has been jailed for 24 weeks.

David Pitman, 50, was stopped by PC Rebecca Starks on suspicion of driving without insurance on Scotter Road, Eastleigh.

While PC Starks attempted to obtain Pitman’s details at the scene, he became aggressive and pushed her to the ground, resulting in an injury to her knee.

Pitman was arrested and charged with driving without insurance and assaulting a police officer, and was bailed to appear in court a month later. However, during the bail period he continued to harass PC Starks over email.

Following his conviction, Pitman appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court where he was handed a 12-week jail sentence for assaulting a police officer, and an additional 12 weeks for harassment – for which he was also handed a restraining order.

He was disqualified from driving for 64 weeks as a result of the driving offence.

Pitman was also ordered to pay costs of £620, a £115 victim surcharge, and £500 compensation.

After the case Inspector Kirsty Shannon said: “No officer should expect to be assaulted in the line of duty. We will not tolerate threats and assaults to our staff and will always take action against the offenders. This conviction and custodial sentence for Mr Pitman reflects that.”