A Judge has ordered a report to assess the dangerousness of a burglar who attacked a senior police officer in her own home.
Bradley Price has already be warned he faces a long jail sentence for a series of offences including the assault on Inspector Cara Sherwood.
He has also admitted a robbery in Plymouth and another burglary in which he also threatened the home owner with violence, Exeter Crown Court was told.
Price, aged 20, was living rough in Plymouth but went to Exeter to carry out the violent raid in which he punched Inspector Sherwood in the face and caused her serious injuries.
Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, ordered a psychiatric report after reading an assessment from the probation service which classified Price as a danger to the public and recommended he should be seen by a forensic psychiatrist.
The judge remanded Price in custody and apologised to the police inspector, who was sat with colleagues and supporters in the public gallery.
He told her:"I am sorry this case cannot be dealt with today but this young man is potentially very dangerous and it is everyone's interests I should know more about him.
"I have read the pre sentence report in which the probation officer expresses very considerable reservations about the danger he poses in the future of committing further serious offences and recommends a psychiatric assessment.
"It is unfortunate that I must delay sentence but there is very great concern about his behaviour towards the public in future."
Mr Deri Matthews, defending, said he was going to ask for a psychiatric report in any event.
Mr Gordon Richings, prosecuting, said Price has asked for three further offences, including the burglary of an occupied dwelling, to be considered and he will provide more details when the case returns to court.
Price admitted assaulting Inspector Sherwood with intent to rob on November 6 and burglary on the same day in which he stole an iPad and mobile phone.
He has already admitted robbing Romanian waiter Sorin Morin of a shoulder bag, mobile phone, passport and house keys in Plymouth on July 3 this year.
Mr Richings told an earlier hearing:"The defendant has pleaded guilty to two robberies. The first was in Plymouth in which Mr Morin, a Romanian citizen, was robbed of a shoulder bag containing bank cards, his pass port and house keys.
"Price has now pleaded guilty to a second indictment of assault with intent to rob a victim in their own home and also stealing an iPhone and iPad from the dwelling."
