Bloodied man assaulted police officer called to report of domestic violence in South Shields
A bloodied householder who assaulted a policeman checking a report of domestic violence has been fined for what a magistrate branded a “ridiculous” act.
Iain Sutherland, 30, of Marigold Walk, West Harton, South Shields, opened the door and walked towards the officer, one of several who responded to the alleged incident.
Prosecutor Rebecca Slade told magistrates in South Tyneside that Sutherland struck at 9.30pm on Wednesday, September 9.
She said the jobless manufacturing worker was drunk, and two other men and a woman were present.
Ms Slade added: “The officers knocked on the door, which was answered by the defendant who had blood on his face.
“The defendant walked outside towards the PC and refused to stop and was pushed back with the flat of the officer’s hand, causing him to fall.
“He said to the officer, ‘Come on, you and me, come on’. He walked towards the officer, who went to arrest him.
“He resisted but the officer was able to put handcuffs on.”
Kevin Smallcombe, defending, said: “It’s unfortunate because this gentleman has no previous convictions. Until recently he had worked all his adult life in manufacturing.
“It’s a matter of deep embarrassment to him and he wants to apologise.
“There’s some relevant background. Officers had attended his home several times on previous days, and he was sick of it.
“They were looking for people who he had made clear weren’t there. There were several officers.
“Two other men were present. He would say he wasn’t the main instigator. There were no injuries.”
The court heard the other men were charged in connection with the incident and had been handed conditional discharges, fined and ordered to pay court costs.
Tony Hewitson, chair of the bench, said: “It’s a shame, it really is a shame. It’s always a cause of shame, you have no previous convictions.
“You did something so incredibly silly, it was ridiculous. It’s a shame you’ll have a criminal record, but you did what you did.”
Sutherland, who pleaded guilty to common assault of an emergency worker by beating, was fined £120 and must pay £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.