MOBILE phone entrepreneur Fraser Hutton has been ordered to serve 180 hours' community service for assaulting two policemen.

At Swindon Crown Court, 44-year-old Hutton, of Osborne Street, Swindon, was cleared of damaging a police Vauxhall Astra van following an incident in Regent Circus last June.

But a jury found him guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on PC Dave Williams and common assault on PC Mark Edwards.

Recorder Mr Malcolm Gibney ordered that he pay a total £2,000 in costs and £2,000 in compensation to PC Williams within three months.

Passing sentence, he told Hutton: "You are an arrogant man, aggressive while drunk. I accept that in your indignation on that Saturday night you lashed out, your senses clouded by alcohol.

"They were no more than just a few minutes of madness and I'm just persuaded that custody is not the only option."

The recorder said an allegation was made that Hutton damaged the police van but Hutton denied doing so and the jury accepted that.

But the recorder added: "They were certain that you assaulted two police officers and I reject your claim this was an accident, in self defence.

"I also reject you only drank two ciders and two tequilas that night, as a witness said you had drunk six to eight pints and some shots."

Defence counsel Ben Stephenson called two character witnesses to speak on Hutton's behalf.

Richard Wadsworth, from Surrey, told the court he stood by Hutton 100 per cent.

"He is a pioneer in his field of expertise and my friend," he said.

"He has strong morals, energy and commitment and I have never seen him anything other than professional. The circumstances of this case are a great surprise to me."

Mr Wadsworth said Hutton's work had earned him high respect among such telecommunication giants as Vodafone, T Mobile, 02 and Orange.

"He is nothing less than superb at what he does," he added.

Character witness Brian Welsh said: "I've known him for five or six years.

"I've worked closely with him and during that period the technology he's developed has enabled companies to do things they otherwise wouldn't have done.

"Fraser engenders loyalty and is very generous."

Mr Stephenson said: "Mr Hutton has never stood before the court facing anything like this.

"He is pretty near the edge if he's sent to prison it will tip him over the edge.

"It will have a disastrous effect on very many people who rely on him."

Hutton declined to comment as he left court.