A MAN who was drunk and attacked a police officer said he acted “irrationally” and had simply “panicked” after realising his partner’s car was involved in a crash.

Alexander Aldridge has been given a fine after admitting common assault of an emergency worker and having four bags of cannabis.

The 22-year-old appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to admit both charges.

The incident took place on Sutton Road in Southend on February 22 at the scene of a crash.

Aldridge, of Cheltenham Road, Southend, had approached the officers at the scene asking where his girlfriend was, as it was her vehicle involved in the crash.

He became aggressive when the officers couldn’t help him, shouting at them, and eventually pushing one of them.

The officer told him not to do it again, but he did, resulting in the officer pushing him to the floor.

As he was taken into custody, Aldridge produced four bags of cannabis which was then confiscated by the officers.

It was later found Aldridge had been drinking that evening and was drunk at the time of the assault.

The court was told that Aldridge has no previous convictions and he is of good character until the incident.

The officer who he assaulted did not suffer any injuries as a result.

Speaking at court, Aldridge told the magistrates’ bench: “I acted irrationally and I shouldn’t have done it.

“I turned up to the vehicle and the airbags were out and it was all smashed up.

“The vehicle belonged to my partner and I was just panicking.”

Aldridge added that to this day he does not know if his partner at the time had been involved in the crash.

Chair of the magistrates’ bench Bob Caccavale chose to settle the case by imposing a fine of £40 on Aldridge.

Including costs and victim surcharges, he will pay a total of £217.

Aldridge, of Cheltenham Road, Southend, walked free from court on the day.