Restrained man attacked police

A handcuffed man who tried to headbutt and kick a police officer showed behaviour ‘‘nothing short of appalling’’, a judge says.

Jaydee James Farmer, 23, was driving east on Budge St in Blenheim at about 1.05am on September 5. A police car was also travelling east.

The officer driving looked in his rear-view mirror to see Farmer’s vehicle approaching quickly, a police summary of facts said.

A roadside breath test indicated Farmer had been drinking and he was required to come to the Blenheim Police Station. He refused and tried to walk over to his nephew in his car.

The summary said Farmer became angry and the officers arrested him.

He began to struggle after an officer placed a handcuff on his left wrist. He tried to kick the police officer, who evaded the attempt.

After he was handcuffed, he tried unsuccessfully to headbutt one of the officers.

On the way to the police station Farmer continued to yell abuse.

An evidential breath test at the station recorded 540 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 250mg.

Farmer appeared for sentencing in the Blenheim District Court on Monday on a charge of drink-driving and a charge of resisting police.

Judge Richard Russell said Farmer’s behaviour was ‘‘nothing short of appalling’’.

‘‘Police were only doing their job, you lost all self-control and were abusive, threatening and intimidating,’’ Judge Russell said.

‘‘They have a difficult enough job as it is without having to deal with people like you. You lost it for reasons that aren’t clear to me and you should be ashamed of your behaviour on that day.’’

Judge Russell accepted that Farmer had family he needed to support, and also drive.

Lawyer Laurie Murdoch said Farmer regretted what happened.

‘‘He’s been a very quiet and respectful person to deal with, this young man,’’ Murdoch said.

‘‘It was a very bad reaction. He had a young relative in the car, and he was trying to protect him.

‘‘He understands that there will be punishment in respect to that.’’

Farmer was sentenced to 140 hours of community work and six months supervision. He was disqualified from holding a drivers licence for nine months.

Jaydee James Farmer, 23, tried to headbutt and kick a police officer while he was handcuffed.