A SULLY man who assaulted a police officer while trying to escape being caught dealing cannabis has avoided a prison sentence.

Cardiff Crown Court heard today (Friday, April 22) how 21-year-old Kai Blackmore, of Hayes Road, Sully was sitting in a car with a friend smoking cannabis when they were approached by a police officer in November last year.

The officer, a PC Buckley, asked both men to leave the vehicle - which was parked on Hayes Road - at which point Blackmore ran away towards the beach.

Prosecutor Andrew Davies told the court that as PC Buckley caught up to Blackmore, the defendant said: "I will hit you with a rock if you come any closer".

After another chase a scuffle ensued in which Blackmore first threw punches which failed to land on the police officer but then, after PC Buckley discharged his CS gas, Blackmore punched him once in the face and several times to the body before being taken to the floor and handcuffed. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered 67.4 grams of cannabis, small plastic bags, a grinder and a set of weighing scales all belonging to Blackmore.

Although he originally denied that he was selling cannabis, Blackmore later admitted in police interview that he had been dealing the drug as a means of paying off a debt he had incurred with another drug dealer, who he refused to name.

He pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting a police officer and to being in possession of cannabis with intent to supply at his first appearance at Cardiff Magistrates' Court.

Defending Blackmore, David Pinnell told the court that his client had shown a "heartfelt expression of remorse" about the incident and described the assault as being the result of a "blind panic of a young man" who "involved himself in serious offending because of his serious addiction to cannabis".

"He's a hard working man," Mr Pinnell said. "He's well regarded, well respected and comes from a strong family. This is an offender who will not offend again."

Sentencing Blackmore to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months, Judge Niclas Parry said: "I accept that you are remorseful and that's the kind of young man who deserves a chance. Take your chance because you won't get another one."

Blackmore was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and to pay £250 compensation to PC Buckley.