A Swindon man admitted assaulting a police officer after an argument with his partner.

Andrew Hester, of Oakwood Road in Eastleaze, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a breath sample to police when required and assault by beating of an emergency service worker on January 20, 2024.

Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, told Swindon Magistrates Court that police had been called to an alleged domestic incident at 11.40pm after the 55-year-old “had an argument with his partner”.

The officer found the defendant sat in his work van with the engine running and lights on.

Mr Ballinger said: “He begins to walk away and the officer goes to stop him and says he needs to remain there.

“He grabbed the collar of [the officer’s] vest and pushed him and shouted at him, there was a struggle.”

Gordon Hotson, defending, said Hester had left the house to defuse the situation then sat with the heating on in his vehicle, and that the officer grabbed the defendant's shirt first and was “a little over the top” but Hester “accepts that he should not have made contact”.

Hester has been banned from driving for 28 days and must pay £100 in compensation as well as a total of £200 in fines, as well as £85 in court costs plus £80 to fund victim services.