AN ARRESTED man hit a police officer in the face with a leaflet detailing his rights and kicked out at another while being restrained, a court heard.

Matthew Dixon, 29, was said to have suffered a 'panic attack' which is why he lashed out at officers at Weymouth Police Station.

Dixon, of no fixed address, admitted two counts of assault by beating of emergency workers when he appeared at Weymouth Magistrates Court on March 7.

Nicola Reece, prosecuting, said Dixon was arrested for an unrelated matter on February 19 and upon being handed a leaflet detailing his rights, he dropped it. He was told to pick it up by an officer, but upon doing so he hit the officer, PC Henderson, in the face with it.

Dixon was restrained and began to kick out, resulting in him kicking PC Brown in the face. She reported having pain in her face for the rest of the day.

Patricia Sheehan, mitigating, said Dixon had been arrested for something he had not done which he was not later charged for.

She said: "He (Dixon) has quite complex mental health issues. I know his family and I know what a difficult childhood he has had. He seems to have had a complete panic attack at the police station.

Magistrates heard Dixon had been engaging well on a 24-month community order he had been issued for an affray offence.

Magistrates ordered Dixon to complete an additional 12-month community order and to complete 10 further rehab activity requirement days, concurrent with his current order.

He must pay £150 compensation to PC Brown.