Curfew ordered

A MAN who grabbed a police officer by the throat and threatened to set fire to a police car has been ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work. Garry Woods, who was trying to force the officer to let go of his nephew, was also given a three-

A MAN who grabbed a police officer by the throat and threatened to set fire to a police car has been ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work.

Garry Woods, who was trying to force the officer to let go of his nephew, was also given a three-month curfew order by Fenland magistrates.

Woods, 38, of Osborne Road, Wisbech, had previously admitted assaulting Pc Robert Hutchings and using threatening or disorderly behaviour on June 14. He must pay £50 compensation to the officer and £50 costs.

Pc Hutchings was holding Christopher Syrett on the ground when he felt an arm round his neck and pressure on his throat, said prosecutor John Nooijen.

Both men seemed drunk, and had been abusive to police officers who warned them against walking in the middle of the road on two occasions that night.

Woods said he would set fire to a police car, even if officers were asleep in it, and threatened to shoot an officer.

Mitigating, Martin Newton said Woods had argued with his partner and started drinking early that day, and had little memory of the incident.

Co-defendant Syrett, 29, of Osborne Road, Wisbech, had admitted resisting Pc Hutchings and using threatening behaviour. He failed to attend court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.