A BANNED motorcyclist who assaulted a policeman after being stopped for suspected traffic offences has been spared a jail sentence.

Christopher Cameron, aged 30, of Padgate Lane, was given a five-month sentence suspended for a year after admitting punching an officer he was running away from.

Unemployed Cameron also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and while disqualified, and to resisting arrest, following the incident on October 10, 2005.

Warrington Magistrates' Court heard on Thursday how Cameron had been stopped in Pendlebury Street, Thelwall, driving his black motorbike with a pillion passenger.

John Shipley, prosecuting, said that, after a chase, Cameron was caught but swung at the arresting officer, connecting with the radio mounted on his jacket, causing it to smash into his cheek.

After his arrest he denied he was disqualified from driving, saying a three-year ban imposed in June 2002 had finished.

"If he had not been carrying a pillion passenger he would have been driving legally," said John Barnes, defending.

"It was not a blatant attempt to ignore a ban."

Chairman of the bench Sylvia Wright ordered him to serve a concurrent five-month suspended sentence for driving while disqualified, and a one-month suspended sentence for resisting arrest.

He was also banned from driving for another nine months, handed a 12-month supervision order and ordered to pay £50 compensation to the officer.