A MAN who swung his fists and crutches at a healthcare worker has been ordered to pay £200 in compensation.

Ian Hall, of Hyde Road, Royal Wootton Bassett ,was charged with assault after flying into a rage after being given the results of a cognitive behaviour test at Gablecross police station on September 13.

When Hall, 44, appeared at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday he admitted the charge.

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting said: “Mr Hall is taken into the station and is seen by a healthcare worker, who tells Hall that he was presented with normal cognition.

“Mr Hall brandished his fists and they were white-knuckled with tension.

“He said ‘You are like all the other (expletives) that haven’t listened since I was a child.

“He lifted his left hand, which was holding a crutch, at the victim, causing him to duck.

"He took two full swings of his fists at the victim and they both missed. The worker then pressed an emergency panic button.”

Gordon Hotson, defending, explained the various physical and mental health issues Hall has struggled with since he was young.

He said: “He has very little clear recollection of what happened, his memory is hazy, he just remembers filling out the cognitive form in the custody suite, then something snapped and made him lash out but he has no idea what that was.

“He has suffered from ADD since he was a child and has been diagnosed with split personality disorder, which causes him difficulties on a daily basis.

“He has arthritis in his spine, knee problems and dust inhalation due to a previous job, which he left to start a new job burying asbestos.

“It’s highly unlikely that he will be fit to work again but he has good support network available to him.

“This was clearly an unpleasant incident for the healthcare professional but though there was waving and clenching of fists, no contact was made.”

Chairman of the bench Richard Mattick ordered Hall to pay £200 in compensation from his benefits.