A dairy worker who admitted hitting an off-duty police officer over the head with a torch was given 180 hours' community service.
Graham Gardener, 19, of Barn Close, Kidlington, struggled with Pc Douglas Foster after he chased Gardener and tried to apprehend him for breaking into cars in Wilsdon Way, Kidlington, on January 14, Oxford Crown Court heard.
Jill Hurworth, prosecuting, said Gardener had pleaded guilty to three matters involving the cars, which were being dealt with by magistrates. She said that from a window Pc Foster saw Gardener near a neighbour's car with all its doors open.
He gave chase and caught two men. One escaped but he held on to Gardener until other officers arrived.
Paul Mitchell, defending, said Gardener had acted out of character and was naive.
The Recorder of Oxford, Judge Harold Wilson, ordered him to carry out 180 hours' community service, pay 200 compensation to the victim, and 200 costs.
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