A MAN has been fined over £600 and ordered to pay compensation to the police officer he assaulted.

Daniel Ross, of Greystone Lane in Dalton, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to beating PC Montgomery, who was acting in the exercise of his functions.

South Cumbria Magistrates Court on January 4 heard the assault occurred on December 15 in Dalton.

The 34-year-old was ordered to pay a £695 fine which was uplifted from £595 to reflect the fact that the offence had been committed against an emergency worker.

Magistrates also ordered Ross to pay £50 in compensation to the police officer, £85 in court costs and a £278 surcharge.