A MOTHER-of-two has been given a two-year conditional discharge after admitting assaulting a police officer.

Rebecca Joanne McDermott, aged 25, of Middlemarsh Street, Poundbury, Dorchester, pleaded guilty to the offence at Weymouth Magistrates Court.

The court heard that McDermott assaulted PC Bessell in the execution of his duty in Dorchester on February 13.

Magistrates were shown a picture of bruises that PC Bessell received in the attack.

The court heard that McDermott’s foster sister had been looking after her children and when McDermott went to get them an argument developed. McDermott’s foster sister did not want to return the children as McDermott had been drinking.

McDermott called the police and later spoke to PC Bessell in the garden of the property. She turned to walk away from him and he grabbed her and she struck out.

Simon Lacey, mitigating, said that McDermott was ‘very sorry’ for what she had done and had admitted her guilt at the first possible opportunity.

He added that McDermott was a single mum of two young children and had been going through a difficult time.

Chairman of the Magistrates Joan Dallyn said: “We have given you credit for your early guilty plea. We are giving you a two year conditional discharge, which has been reduced in this case from two and a half years because you pleaded guilty.

“We are going to ask for compensation towards the injuries to the victim of £100.”

No application for costs was made by the court.