A specialist dog unit had to be called in to track down a car salesman who had assaulted an Ottery police officer, a court heard.

Jonathan Hoar, 27, was arrested in the early hours of Saturday, May 10 after he pushed PC Vicky Dixon and tried to snatch her radio before running off.

Exeter Magistrates’ Court heard that Hoar, from Talaton, goaded police as they were arresting him – swearing at them and threatening to rape one of the officers’ wives.

He pled guilty to assaulting PC Dixon at court on Wednesday.

Dafydd Paxton, for the prosecution, told the court PC Dixon had pulled over a car, which was being driven by Hoar’s ex-girlfriend, in Mill Street at 4.16am, after she noticed it was speeding.

He told the court that PC Dixon spoke to the driver, but passenger Hoar, who had been drinking, swore at her and complained that the local police were always pulling him over.

He added: “PC Dixon then spoke to the driver in her police car, but Hoar got in.”

The court heard that when the officer went to call for back-up, Hoar lunged for her radio before pushing her backwards and then running away.

A dog unit was called in and quickly located the former army serviceman.

In mitigation, Rob Jacobs described Hoar’s actions as an ‘out of character aberration’.

He told the court that Hoar suffered from a stress-related problem, which when mixed with alcohol caused him to have blackouts.

He said his client, who has no previous convictions, had written a letter to the Ottery PC apologising for his actions.

Mr Jacobs added: “He does not accept that he said he would rape one of the officers’ wives, but he does accept the pushing and grabbing of the radio.”

Magistrates told Hoar: “We hope this was just one moment of madness.”

Hoar was ordered to pay a fine of £130 and £105 in costs.