A thug punched an off-duty officer in the throat after she told him he was under arrest over a disturbance in a car.

Liam Harvey was spotted by several bystanders in Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells assaulting the driver of a vehicle he was a passenger in.

Among those to see the altercation was off duty police officer, Holly Ronaldson.

But when she and another member of the public went to stop the car from fleeing the scene Harvey became aggressive.

The 24-year-old then threatened to stab those who tried to stop him leaving, a court heard.

As PC Ronaldson showed him her warrant card and informed him she was an off-duty police officer who was going to arrest him, Harvey punched her in the throat and on her head.

Another man, Sam Overton, came to her aid, but Harvey also kicked him in the face and spat at him.

The pair managed to get Harvey under control and he calmed down for a short period of time, but he lashed out again before being retrained and arrested.

The incident happened in Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells on July 30 last year and Harvey was later charged with assault by beating and assault on an emergency worker.

Harvey, of Goods Station Road, Tunbridge Wells appeared at Maidstone Magistrates' Court on Monday, March 27, where he admitted both charges.

Terry Knox prosecuting told the court until this court appearance, Harvey was of previous good character.

Mr Know added: "Mr Overton suffered a kick to the face and there was blood on his shirt and he had a cut lip.

"He also made threats to to stab the members of the public who tried to contain him."

It was not revealed in court who Harvey attacked in the car or if he was facing any charges in relation to that incident.

Magistrates also heard Harvey accepted he'd done wrong and had had a couple of drinks before the incident and had over-reacted.

The bench placed Harvey on a 12 month community order which will see him complete 300 hours of unpaid work and attend 10 rehabilitation sessions with probation.

He was also ordered to pay £150 compensation to Mr Overton and £100 to PC Ronaldson, as well as a £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs.