A drunken man caused a fracture to a police officer's leg when he refused to get into a police van on Christmas Eve.
Paul Luke, 38, became aggressive after two officers came to arrest him following a domestic violence incident at his home during the Christmas holidays, reports Chronicle Live.
He said he had claustrophobia, refused to get into the police van and amidst a struggle he wrapped his legs around one officer, PC Gillespie, and caused him to fall over.
Mr Luke then landed on the officer, leading to a fracture in two places of the policeman's leg. This led to him undergoing a three hour operation on Christmas Day, with metal rods being fitted into his leg.
After appearing for sentencing at Newcastle's Moor Hall, Mr Luke, of Waterville Road, North Shields, pled guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and a section 20 offence.
The court heard how at around 8pm on December 24, 2020, cops were called to Mr Luke's partner's home in North Shields following a suspected domestic assault.
Upon arrival the officers were told Mr Luke was at another address causing "further issues", and there the officers found him in a "drunken and highly agitated" state.
Claire Anderson, prosecuting, said Luke was "shouting and swearing" while acting "irrationally and unpredictably", however, he then calmed down and was compliant with the police. She said: "He was handcuffed and had a cigarette when he said he was not going to get in the police van and that they would have to drag him in it.
"When the vehicle arrived, he was acting aggressively and refused to get in and was dragging his feet. He said he would kick off and said he was claustrophobic. He became more obstructive and sat on the kerb."
Ms Anderson continued: "He kicked out at the officer, causing him to fall on the kerb and the defendant landed on top of him. The officer heard a crack and a shooting pain in his leg. The defendant continued to shout and swear and told another officer he would snap his leg as well."
Mr Luke had 27 previous convictions for 54 offences, including previous for assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, battery, and possession of an offensive weapon.
After the latest incident on Christmas Eve, he was made subject to a 428 day electronic curfew, but but had committed further offences whilst on tag, the court heard.
Mark Harrison, defending, said Luke had issues with alcohol and that he had "never been locked up sober before". He said: "The defendant accepts responsibility for causing the injury and acknowledges he was drunk."
He said Luke needs to "get a grip on his alcohol use" and that he has not drank alcohol for a number of months.
Sentencing Luke, Recorder Paul Reid said the offences were "appalling" and that his actions caused the police officer "considerable problems". He handed him a 14 month prison sentence, suspended for two years and ordered him to undertake 20 rehabilitation days.
Mr Luke was also made subject of alcohol abstinence monitoring for 90 days and ordered £500 compensation to the officer.
Detective Sergeant Miah, who was in charge of the case said: “PC Gillespie has suffered life-changing injuries when he responded to an everyday incident where he was just trying to do his job.
"Emergency service responders join their organisations because they want to help keep people safe and protect their communities – they should not be exposed to this type of abuse in return.
“The message is clear – we don’t come to work to be assaulted, and Northumbria Police will do everything in its power to bring those offenders to justice. I would also like to commend the bravery of both officers involved who both swiftly returned to work, continuing their commitment to serve our communities.”
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