A man has avoided custody after assaulting a police officer.

David Nash, 32, of College Road, Grays, assaulted Thurrock police officer PC Harris while she was in the execution of her duty on September 16 in Grays.

Nash admitted one count of assaulting a police officer when he appeared at Basildon Magistrates' Court on October 30.

The bench handed him 100 hours of unpaid work and ordered him to pay £100 compensation.

The 32-year-old was also ordered to pay £85 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.