A police officer had CS gas sprayed into his eyes by a man he was trying to arrest on suspicion of assault.

The attack on PC Bruce Kemp happened as the officer was trying to control and handcuff 27-year-old Ben Wiggins, who was resisting arrest, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The powerful spray left the officer with a burning sensation in his eyes – yet he was still able to overpower the reluctant suspect.

In court, Wiggins, of Brindlefield, Wigton, admitted illegally possessing two CS gas canisters and assaulting a police officer with the intention of resisting arrest.

Prosecutor Francis McEntee described how the officer was asked to intervene at around 5.40pm on May 23 in Wigton after police were tipped off about a suspected assault, though no formal complaint was ever made.

At the time, said the barrister, PC Kemp was satisfied he had sufficient grounds to arrest Wiggins, who later claimed he had the CS spray for self-protection.

During the arrest procedure, the officer took hold of Wiggins by his arm with both hands and tried to put the handcuffs on him.

“As I did so I felt a spray hit me directly in both eyes but more so to the right,” said the officer in a statement read aloud.

“I felt a burning sensation and my eyes began to water.”

Despite the discomfort and pain, PC Kemp managed to handcuff Wiggins, and prise his fingers off the the CS gas canister. The officer found a second CS gas canister in the defendant’s jacket.

After the attack, PC Kemp, who was checked over at hospital, felt as though he was about to vomit and at risk of choking.

Mr McEntee added: “His confidence as a response officer has been affected by that incident.

“He explained he was able to press an emergency button during the incident, and was gratified that his fellow officers arrived within 10 to 15 minutes.”

Wiggins was said to have accepted responsibility for what had happened.

It was accepted he did not discharge the gas directly into PC Kemp’s face, and nor had he intended to injure the officer in any way.

Paul Tweddle, defending, said Wiggins – a man with 22 offences to his name – believed at the time the original incident in which he was involved did not warrant police attention.

Of the CS gas possession, Mr Tweddle said: “He said e had it for his own protection.

“There are people in Wigton who do not like him from past misdemeanours.

“There is no excuse. He got it from a friend.”

Mr Tweddle added: “He knows it is a serious offence.”

Judge Barbara Forrester said she agreed and jailed Wiggins for five-and-a-half months..