A MAN who assaulted three police officers who tried to arrest him escaped jail this week. Nathan Large had been warned he was facing custody, but on Wednesday he was given a three-month electronic tagging order instead, keeping him indoors between 7pm and

A MAN who assaulted three police officers who tried to arrest him escaped jail this week.

Nathan Large had been warned he was facing custody, but on Wednesday he was given a three-month electronic tagging order instead, keeping him indoors between 7pm and 7am.

He was also told to carry out 150 hours' unpaid community work, and must pay £445 compensation and £87 costs.

Fenland magistrates heard how a suspected drink driver escaped from police after officers' attention was diverted by Large, who had been in the car.

As police tried to carry out a breathalyser test on the arrested driver, Large made a nuisance of himself, shouting and swearing.

When Large was arrested for being drunk and disorderly, the prisoner escaped with the help of a female.

When put in the back of a police car, Large kicked out and injured three officers. He was handcuffed, put in leg restraints, and sprayed with CS gas.

Police officer Rob Hutchings suffered injuries after being kicked on the thumb and in the face, and his glasses were broken. Officer Dave MacDonald had injuries to a finger and an arm, and police officer Kayleigh Smith suffered discomfort when kicked in the groin.

Large, 24, of Cross Lane, Wisbech St Mary, had admitted assaulting three officers on October 8.

At an earlier hearing, solicitor Anita Waterman said Large had not planned for the suspected drink driver to get away.

"He was as surprised as anyone when he walked away," she said. "My client was obstructive; he did not want to be arrested and handcuffed."

"He did not set out to assault officers, but accepts he intervened because he had too much to drink.