Reading Magistrates' Court: Newbury man who denied assaulting police in Thatcham changes plea

A MAN who denied attacking a police officer has been sentenced after changing his plea.

At a previous hearing, Callum Brown pleaded not guilty to assaulting the officer, who was carrying out his duty, by beating him in Station Road, Thatcham, on March 27 last year.

But on Thursday, January 6, the 19-year-old, of Dickens Walk, Newbury, changed his mind and admitted the offence.

The court heard that the admission meant Mr Brown was in breach of a conditional discharge which had been imposed for previous offences of possessing the Class A-controlled drug cocaine and ketamine, a controlled drug of Class B.

For his latest offending he was made subject to a 12-month community order and required to complete 120 hours of unpaid work.

In addition, Mr Brown was ordered to pay £40 compensation to the officer in lieu of an otherwise statutory victim services surcharge.

No order was made for costs because of the teenager's lack of means.