A NEWPORT man was chased by police through Home Bargains, where he was pepper sprayed and ended up punching a cleaner.

A police officer collided with shelving and a little girl started crying at the commotion, the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court heard on Tuesday.

Jed Atkinson, 25, of Gunville Road, admitted assault by beating, obstructing officers in the execution of their duty, and using threatening, abusive or insulting words.

Ann Smout, prosecuting, said police had been called to Home Bargains on October 24, 2020.

At 6.45pm, two officers arrived at the scene following reports of a drunk and aggressive male being threatening toward staff and customers.

When officers walked towards the till area, the sergeant in attendance took hold of Atkinson's arm and told him to be quiet.

Mrs Smout said Atkinson told the sergeant not to touch him and threw insults.

Atkinson was pepper sprayed in the face but he ran off further into the store and was pursued.

Mrs Smout said, in an attempt to cut him off, the inspector ran down a parallel aisle. On reaching the end of the aisle, it appeared the inspector and Atkinson were on a collision course, but instead the inspector collided with some shelving and fell to the floor.

A cleaner attempted to obstruct Atkinson, but got punched.

Atkinson was eventually handcuffed and taken to the police van.

The court heard how a member of the public recalled seeing a little girl crying at the commotion.

Mrs Smout said members of the public feared for their safety and one female shielded her daughter from what was going on.

Both officers suffered injuries.

Mrs Smout said Atkinson had no previous convictions, and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

James Cameron, defending, said Atkinson had split up with his girlfriend ­— the mother of his two children, and hadn't coped well with the breakdown of the relationship.

He had been taking antidepressants, and had consumed cider and Jack Daniels on the day of the incident. The combination resulted in him being 'violent and volatile'.

He said Atkinson had little recollection of what happened, but felt ashamed and was deeply apologetic.

Atkinson was given a 12-month community order to include ten rehabilitation days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay £20 compensation to the cleaner, £20 to the sergeant, and £200 to the inspector.