A DRUNK was Tasered after swinging punches at a police officer in Swindon.

Magistrates were told by prosecutor Michelle Hewitt that police were called after Michael Sheehan was spotted in the middle of Ocotal Way in the early hours on June 12.

“The defendant is arrested at 2.30am. He was drunk in a public place, standing in the middle of the road with his top off,” she said.

Initially, 999 callers were concerned for 23-year-old Sheehan’s welfare, but when PC Dolder arrived at the scene the accused began swearing and swinging punches at the officer, magistrates heard.

The officer drew his Taser and warned Sheehan, before firing it at him while shouting “Taser, Taser”.

Ms Hewitt said: “That hit the defendant in the arm as he was throwing the punch. The defendant then fell to the floor and was arrested.

“The defendant did admit he had been drinking earlier in the day in interview. He has pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.”

But Mark Glendenning, defending, was critical of the police officer’s actions.

Acting for Sheehan, of Bath Road, Old Town, he admitted to the court that his client had raised his arms at the officer but said the he had intended to walk away.

“The officer has come in heavy handed towards him. He has then got up with the intention of walking away. He swung his arms with the intention of clearing some space around him,” explained the solicitor.

Rather than walking away, he was hit with the Taser barbs and given an electric pulse.

Mr Glendenning said: “He fell flat on his face, literally face down on the concrete.”

The defendant pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, being drunk and disorderly in a public place, failing to surrender and failing to surrender to the court.

Magistrates were told Sheehan, who has 72 previous offences listed on his record, has battled drinking problems in the past.

Mr Glendenning said his client “accepts he has effectively put himself in that position by drinking”.

Magistrates made a 12-month community order. he was also instructed to complete 50 hours of unpaid work and up to 12 rehabilitation activity days. No order was made for costs.