Driver forced to wear tag for attack on parking warden

A motorist has been fitted with an electronic tag after he was found guilty of assaulting a woman parking warden.

Sutton magistrates' court heard how the parking attendant asked Marcus Massiah to move as he was illegally parked on the pavement.

He refused and she began to issue a penalty charge notice when Massiah grabbed her hand-held computer and twisted her arm behind her back.

The officer managed to free herself and told Massiah she would call the police if he did not return the computer.

He swore at her and tried to grab her phone as she dialled 999. The officer then ran to her car and drove away before reporting the attack.

Massiah, 25, of Croydon, was sentenced to a two-month community order, given a curfew from 8.30pm until 7am, fitted with the tag and ordered to pay £100 costs following the attack in Carshalton in May.

Colin Hall, deputy leader of Sutton council, said: "There is absolutely no excuse for this kind of behaviour and I warn anyone who either physically or verbally assaults one of our officers that they will face the full force of the law. Our enforcement officers have a tough but crucial job to do.

"Nobody likes receiving a parking ticket but these regulations are in place for good reason; to protect the safety of motorists and pedestrians."