A MACHEN man admitted kicking a police officer in the shin after she woke him while he tried to sleep in his front garden, a court heard.

Michael Leon Jones, 20, of Shelley Court, Graig-y-Rhacca appeared at Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court, where he admitted assaulting a police officer, obstructing a police officer and possessing class B cannabis.

Prosecutor Mark Salter said police were called by the defendant’s mother because of his "aggressive behaviour".

After they entered the home address at 10.15am, they found a bag of cannabis bush belonging to him, with PC Kimberley Bell then trying to arrest him.

Mr Salter said: "She placed her hand on his shoulders, but he pushed the officer back, before kicking her with his left foot to the shin, causing pain."

There was then a struggle, with Jones being taken to the floor to stop him kicking out and straps were used to restrain him.

Defence solicitor Ed Mitchard told the court that Jones had taken recreational drugs the night before the incident on August 4 and had not slept- with an argument then developing between him and his mother.

In an attempt to sleep, he had taken a blanket from his bedroom and settled down in the front garden following the altercation.

But, his mother then called police, with Mr Mitchard said: "He acted extremely aggressively probably because he had not slept."

For the offences, he was given a six-month community order, where he has a curfew to remain indoors between 8pm and 7am.

Jones must also pay £85 costs and £75 compensation to PC Bell.