A WOMAN who slapped a police officer across the face as he lay on the ground with a broken leg must pay him compensation.

Eliza Bridle, of Lumley Walk, Amesbury pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer in Salisbury Magistrate's Court on Friday.

The court heard that PC Bell and PC Jacob were on duty in Amesbury in the early hours of July 1.

Bridle's boyfriend had been asked by the officers not to walk in the middle of the road, and became aggressive towards them.

Prosecuting, Kate Prince said while the police were trying to detain him, PC Bell "ended up on the floor with a broken leg".

She said Bridle approached PC Bell as he lay on the ground and "slapped him across his face".

Ms Prince said it was an "assault on an officer who was clearly in a very vulnerable position, trying to do his job."

Defending, Trevor Line said Bridle, 21, "appeared to have overreacted to the situation".

He said Bridle had suffered with mental health problems including depression and anxiety for the last seven years, and is unable to work.

Magistrate Debbie Slater told Bridle: "This was an officer in execution of his duty who had been gravely injured and was on the ground.

"There was no way you should have intervened in the situation at that point."

Mrs Slater ordered Bridle to pay £150 compensation to PC Bell, as well as £60 court costs.