A teacher has been allowed to return to the classroom with a reprimand after assaulting a police officer in front of his pupils.

Jeremy Cassidy, a staff member at Longcroft School Performing Arts College in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, assaulted the police officer in the town centre after he had been drinking, the General Teaching Council for England said.

Two of Mr Cassidy’s pupils were passing by at the time and witnessed his behaviour, a professional conduct committee found this week.

Mr Cassidy was convicted of assault at Beverley and Wold magistrates’ court and ordered to do 180 hours of community service and pay Pounds 100 compensation.

The incident, which took place in October 2007, marked the second time Mr Cassidy had been in trouble with the police in less than 18 months.

Mr Cassidy was previously fined Pounds 200 for being drunk and disorderly.

The GTC told Mr Cassidy that his behaviour created a bad image of the profession and could have damaged his school’s reputation. But it said it was impressed that Mr Cassidy had quickly told his school of the incident.

The school supported Mr Cassidy and “expressed a wish that you should continue as a valued member of the school staff”, the GTC said.

“We have noted also your own expression of regret, willingness to follow professional advice to help change your lifestyle, and that there has been no repetition of this behaviour,” the committee said.

The committee allowed Mr Cassidy to return to work with a reprimand that will remain on his file for two years.