A MAN who kicked a police officer in the groin while causing a disturbance outside a Marlborough pub has been sentenced to 40 hours' community punishment.

Stephen Bosley, 33, of Rabley Wood View, Marlborough, pleaded guilty to assaulting the officer outside the Queen's Head pub on March 13, when he appeared before Kennet magistrates on Tuesday.

Marion Langford, prosecuting, said police had been called to a disturbance outside the pub and they found the defendant swearing and shouting in the street, having been asked to leave the pub following an argument with his girlfriend.

Bosley was told he would be arrested if he didn't stop causing a disturbance but he continued his stream of foul-mouthed abuse.

One of the officers grabbed him by the arm and Bosley kicked the officer in the groin, causing him extreme pain, said Mrs Langford.

Eventually he was handcuffed and arrested. In interview he said he couldn't remember kicking the

officer.

Malcolm Wieck, defending, said his client had been extremely apologetic for his behaviour. He had suffered an injury to his shoulder and neck about 18 months earlier and he had tried to indicate to the officer not to pull on his arm.

The pain caused as a result of the officer not heeding him was his kicking out. Mr Wieck produced a letter from the licensee of the Queen's Head saying that he had never had a problem with Bosley before and he would always be welcome in the pub.

The court also heard that Bosley has a new girlfriend who doesn't drink and lives in Alton Priors, some miles away.

In addition to the community punishment order, Bosley was told to pay £50 compensation to the police officer and £70 court costs.