A thug who punched and choked a police officer has been handed an unpaid work order and placed under supervision.
PC Calum Brown was struggling to breathe during what he described as a "particularly distressing" episode.
William Passmore, 30, admitted assaulting the officer in Carfin Street, New Stevenston, Motherwell, on January 21 this year.
Passmore, who has previous convictions for assault and carrying knives, also admitted acting in a threatening or abusive manner towards police officers.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard PC Brown and a colleague were responding to a call about 3.30pm when they saw the accused in the street.
Passmore shouted 'Aw look, there's the f*****g police' and struck the police car's wing mirror with his hand.
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Lewis Devoy, prosecuting, said: "The officers parked their car and got out.
"The accused was aggressive immediately and punched PC Brown, causing a cut near his left eye.
"The two officers tried to restrain him, but he struggled, and so they activated a panic button on their radio.
"While struggling on the ground, the accused placed his arm around PC Brown's neck and tightened his grip, restricting the officer's breathing.
"PC Brown advises that he was held in this position for about 30 seconds.
"He and his colleague tried and failed to get Passmore to release his grip, so PC Brown drew his Pava spray and used it on the accused.
"It was only then that he let go.
"Further officers arrived and the accused was handcuffed. During the journey to Motherwell police station, he was shouting, swearing and spitting in the rear of the cell van."
PC Brown was taken to hospital for treatment.
Mr Devoy added: "The officer was 'non-deployable' for two weeks. He reports that he found the incident particularly distressing."
Passmore was on early release from prison at the time of the attack.
He was said to have an "ongoing problem with alcohol".
Defence lawyer Diarmid Bruce told the court: "He was intoxicated at the time of this incident and is horrified at his behaviour."
Passmore had been held in custody since his arrest in January, but Sheriff Linda Nicolson released him on a 12-month supervision order.
He must do 120 hours of unpaid community work.
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