A man being held in a police station touched an officer inappropriately before saying “would you like my middle finger”.

Micky Johnson, of Percival Terrace in Brighton, was being booked into custody for a different matter by a female officer on May 11 this year.

He was asked to provide finger prints and put his hands on the back of the detention officer, Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard.

The court heard that she said to stop and he made a “sinister” comment of “would you like my middle finger”.

In a victim impact statement which was read out, the officer said: “Since the incident I have thought I should be able to do my job without being harassed.

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“I feel uncomfortable with any male detainee now. It caused me to lose sleep, I have managed to process it. But I think about it every time I work.”

The incident happened at Gablecross Police Station in Swindon. Johnson pleaded guilty to the offence.

The court heard that Johnson suffered with mental health issues including schizophrenia and anxiety. He also was said to have autism.

His defence Mark Charnley said it was an “ill judged joke”. 

Deputy District Judge Nicola Fleck said: “The reality is the touching is quite minor but also the fact you made the comments. It is wholly unacceptable the way your comments have impacted her from doing her job.”

He was given a six-month community order. He also has to pay the officer £100 in compensation and has three months to pay that in full.