A heroin addict who assaulted a police officer and stole from shops in Letchworth to fund his habit has been handed a 20-week prison sentence.

Stevenage Magistrates’ Court heard that Benjamin Maslin, of Bates Green in Norwich, stole steaks from Iceland and cosmetics worth £313 from Superdrug in Letchworth town centre.

While in custody the 33-year-old asked to be left alone while he went to the toilet. When the officers refused he swung his arm, still wearing handcuffs, and smashed one of them in the head.

Kit Pung, representing Maslin, told the court: “He does accept that he has a drug addiction. He wants to turn his life around. He is seeking help from the court.”

Chairman of the bench Robert Balchin noted Maslin’s previous convictions before saying: “He’s had the opportunity to turn it around – now here we are again.”

Maslin, who was sentenced on Monday, must pay £100 in compensation, £340 in costs and an £80 victim surcharge.