A MAN punched a policeman and squeezed his leg, leaving it scratched and bruised, because he did not want to go to hospital, a court heard.

Police were called to a property in Bishop Auckland on August 18 following reports of a man trying to hurt himself.

Officers found Christopher Beckett at his home on Princes Street with empty packets of tablets in his pockets.

Martin Towers, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court that the 26-year-old did not like the police being there.

“He swung a punch but luckily the officer saw it coming and it merely grazed his head. In the kitchen the defendant grabbed hold of his leg and squeezed it,” he added.

Beckett, who was serving a suspended sentence for aggravated arson at the time of the assault, admitted two charges of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.

Andrew Petterson, mitigating, said Beckett suffered from severe depression and post traumatic stress and should not be sent to prison, despite breaking his suspended sentence.

“He has a history of self-harm and on a number of times tried to take his own life," he added.

Recorder Angus Withington said: “I accept that these offences were conducted when Mr Beckett was unwell and at a time when he was psychologically vulnerable.

“It is the responsibility of this court to ensure sentences are completed but it would be unjust to do this due to the psychological problems he was experiencing.”

Beckett received a three-month curfew from 8pm to 6am.