A man who tried to strangle himself with a shoelace while under arrest left a police officer in “excruciating” pain as he fought him off.

Shaun Kelly pleaded guilty to assault and occasioning actual bodily harm for the incident that took place in the early hours of July 19.

He left PC Craig Rimmer, who may need reconstructive surgery, with a ruptured ligament and a torn cartilage.

Yesterday, Bolton Crown Court heard that police were called to Montserrat Road after an ambulance attended a domestic incident at the defendant’s house involving his father.

Simon Barrett, prosecuting, said: “The police were called and as a result, the defendant was arrested by police on condition of assault.”

While in the police car, Kelly, whose handcuffs had been removed before the journey, threatened to harm himself with a shoelace.

The police car stopped on Moss Bank Way, but Kelly continued to behave aggressively and tried to strangle himself.

After PC Rimmer delivered what was described as “distraction strikes”, Kelly let go of the lace around his neck and hit the police officer back.

Kelly kicked PC Rimmer in the chest, legs and knee before he was taken to hospital.

Mr Barrett told the court: “It caused him to struggle and fall backwards to the floor in excruciating pain.”

PC Rimmer sustained a serious injury to his knee and may need reconstructive surgery, but it is hoped that the injury will be dealt with by physiotherapy.

Mr Barrett requested a medical report, but said that doctors are still unsure whether the victim requires surgery as they await further prognosis.

Judge Graham Smith said: “There is a real prospect of a custodial sentence.”

The judge concluded that the severity of the sentence depends on the extent of the impact on the victim and therefore postponed his decision until it was clear whether PC Rimmer will require surgery.

Kelly will be sentenced on October 16 and his bail has been renewed.