AN UNEMPLOYED man who assaulted a police officer following a fight has been ordered to pay nearly £500.

Brighton magistrates’ court heard that Jake Crosskeys, 24, had been out for a night in the city with friends on May 7 this year and had become involved in an altercation with a group of people.

The court heard that PC James Savill had arrived at Bar 32 in Duke Street and asked Crosskeys, who had blood on his face, for his name and address.

Crosskeys, of Golf Drive, Brighton, admitted a charge of assault on the constable by beating him.

District Judge Amanda Kelly told Crosskeys that such an offence would normally be punishable with a fine of £150.

However, she added that there was an “aggravating factor” that this was an assault on a police officer.

Victoria Grey, prosecuting, read to the court a victim impact statement prepared by Chief Constable Jo Shiner of Sussex Police, in which she said any officer “shouldn’t be assaulted while serving the public”.

District Judge Kelly fined Crosskeys £250, and ordered him to pay £100 compensation to his victim. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £34 and £85 costs.

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