A DRUNKEN man who attacked two police officers in his bare feet and boxer shorts has avoided jail.
Simon Burdis, of Thames Road, Hebburn, was in bed when police were called by his girlfriend to remove him from their home after a dispute.
Burdis refused to leave and lashed out at the officers as they tried to escort him out of the house shortly after midnight on Sunday, February 24.
The court heard the 30-year-old had returned home drunk after causing trouble in the Lord Nelson pub, Monkton Village, Jarrow.
Stan Sudworth, prosecuting, told South Tyneside Magistrates Court: “At 12.10am on February 24, police officers were called to reports of a dispute between a male and a female.
“The female said she didn’t want him in the house. The officers found him lying in bed with the covers over him. They told him he was required to leave.”
When the officers tried to take Burdis out of the house, he headbutted one of them and kicked another in the eye. Both officers suffered only minor injuries.
Richard Rodger, defending, said: “He accepts he will have to pay compensation to the officers.
“It is fortunate the injuries to them were not very serious at all. The common thread here is alcohol abuse.”
Mr Roger said Burdis accepts his alcohol issues and has sought assistance.
Magistrates’ chairman Gerald Tierney said: “You are not going to prison, but I have to say an assault on police constables doing their duty is not taken lightly.
“You were in bare feet. But let’s suppose you had been wearing shoes at the time, the injuries could have been more severe.
“Many people believe it is an excuse to be drunk. You can’t be blamed as you’re not in control of your actions, but in the view of the court it is an aggravating factor.”
Burdis was given a 12-month community supervision order and 100 hours’ unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay compensation of £50 to each officer, £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
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