A Watford 14-year-old has been sentenced for attacking a police officer.

The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared in Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on December 18 and admitted to assault by beating of an emergency worker.

The police constable had apparently been on the job when they were beaten by the youth, in the London Borough of Haringey on November 17 this year.

A charge of common assault of an emergency worker was withdrawn in favour of the assault by beating offence during the court appearance.

According to the Sentencing Council, “if violence is used in a common assault, it is called a ‘battery’ and the perpetrator would be charged with ‘assault by beating’”.

An existing youth referral order for the teenager was extended by four months, to a total of seven months, and £25 in compensation was ordered.

The defendant had asked the court to take the fact they had admitted the offence into consideration when sentencing. The compensation is set to be paid by a parent or guardian.