A father pushed over a police officer after a “breakdown in communication” led them to believe he may have assaulted his baby, a court heard.

Luke Rawson, of Manford Way, Hainault, pleaded guilty to assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty at Redbridge Magistrates’ Court last Thursday.

He got angry with the officer because they claimed there had been reports of the 31-year-old abusing his baby, according to Rawson’s defence lawyer Steve Holliday.

It was later revealed the police thought he was someone else after a breakdown in communication, Mr Holliday said.

Police were called to a “domestic” matter at Rawson’s home at 2.28am on January 14.

When he opened the door to officers, the 31-year-old, who appeared to be drunk, was “very confrontational”, said prosecutor Elizabeth Ajayai,

She added: “At first he said they couldn’t come in. When they were inside the living room the officers tried to separate the defendant from a female [his partner].

“The defendant was abusive towards the police. He placed both his hands on one of the officer’s chest and pushed him so he fell in to the television set.”

Rawson was then arrested and charged with assault. In interview the father was tearful and remorseful, said Ms Ajayai.

In mitigation Mr Holliday said Rawson had been drinking with his wife when an argument had broken out and the police were called.

“There was a break down in communication. They thought he was someone else and secondly that he assaulted his young child. They had been given the incorrect information,” he said.

“Mr Rawson got angry that someone could believe he could do this. However he knows the police were just doing their job and he is very remorseful for what he has done.”

The chairman of the bench described his actions as “extremely foolish”. He was fined �50 and ordered to pay �50 costs and a �15 victim surcharge.