A KEIGHLEY man has been ordered to pay £100 compensation to a police officer after admitting assaulting him on the canal towpath in Skipton.

Jonathan Coombes, 41, was on his way home to his then house in Brewery Lane, Skipton, in the early hours of June 29 when he was approached by two officers investigating reports of a possible offence having taken place in the town, heard Skipton Magistrates Court.

Believing Coombes fitted the description of someone involved in the alleged offence, officers went to arrest him. Coombes initially resisted and in a struggle marked one of the male officer's face and scratched his wrist.

Coombes, who admitted assaulting PC Tom Bacon, had been out late at night following an argument with his then partner, the court heard.

In mitigation, Keith Blackwell said Coombes had been drinking and had been unfortunate to have been out on his own late at night when officers were investigating reports of an incident.

He said Coombes was focused on getting home and had not wanted to be arrested, but that he now regretted what he had done and apologised to the officer.

Coombes, now of Parkwood Street, Keighley, was also fined £153 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £30.