A St George man repeatedly spared prison for assaulting police spat in an officer's face. And now he's in jail.
Alcoholic Michael Adam had three convictions for assaults on police, Bristol Crown Court heard. But the final straw came when, having called police to say he was going to "kill his girlfriend", he spat at a police sergeant.
Adam, of Bryant's Hill, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker in October last year. Today (February 7), Judge James Patrick jailed him for nine months.
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The judge told Adam: "Courts have bent over backwards to avoid sending you to prison. The time has come now.
"You had chance after chance after chance to address your behaviour. What you have done is too little and its too late."
Neil Treharne, prosecuting, said police received a 999 call to go to Adam's address. Mr Treharne told the court: "The defendant had said he was going to kill his girlfriend and he didn't give a f***."
The court heard a police sergeant who attended knew Adam could be violent and tried to be civil with him. But Adam - who weighs 18 stone and is 7ft tall - was insulting to police and became agitated.
Mr Treharne said Adam was bundled outside, where officers struggled to contain him. He was then PAVA sprayed and handcuffed and spat directly at an officer's head, the court was told.
The victim described the assault as "vile". He said there had been no justification for it and he was concerned about infection as a result.
Adam had several previous convictions for assaults on police. But he had only been handed community orders for them the court heard.
Matthew Kirk, defending, said in the week leading up to the incident his client attended the funerals of two friends. He said Adam had a long history of addiction, first to gambling and then to drink.
Mr Kirk said Adam had engaged with an alcohol treatment programme and counselling. He had also done some voluntary work in a charity shop, the court heard.
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