A WHITEHAVEN man has landed himself with a community order after assaulting a police officer and urinating in the back of a police van.

Lee Walker, 28, was charged with assaulting an emergency worker and criminal damager to property valued under £5,000.

When he appeared before Workington's magistrates' court on Friday morning Walker pleaded guilty to both offences.

Prosecution, Diane Jackson, explained: "Just after 8.30pm on December 28 Walker was seen on Station Road, Workington where he was bleeding.

"Officers were concerned for his welfare.

"They followed him to check on his welfare where he threatened to smack one of the officers."

Walker pushed PC Collingwood in the chest with both hands causing her to stumble backwards.

He was subsequently put in the back of the police van and taken to Whitehaven hospital to be checked over by A&E staff there.

Medical staff at the A&E department refused to let him inside because of his erratic behaviour and Walker was treated outside in the back of the police van.

On the way back to the police station Walker is said to have spat blood and mucus and urinated twice.

Walker does not remember much from that evening but believes there was an altercation where he may have been jumped and his trainers stolen.

He accepts that he pushed PC Collingwood.

Defence, John Cooper, said: "What he said about the earlier incident rings true because when police found him he had no trainers on.

"He cannot explain why he was taken to hospital but knows he'd had quite a bit to drink and he knows he has done wrong."

Walker was given a community order for a 12 month period. A condition of the community order is that he must carry out 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) offers the opportunity for a greater range of work to address offending behaviour.

Walker was also fined £140, ordered to pay £75 compensation, £90 to fund victim services and costs of £85.

He has 28 days to make the first payment.