Asian PCs were racially abused and then spat at
AMAN racially abused and spat at two Asian police officers who were attempting to restrain him after he was arrested, a court heard.
Delivery driver Lance Luke Henry, 31, of Exchange Street, Accrington, had earlier been detained after police were called to an address in the town about a domestic incident.
Prosecutor Tracy Yates told Blackburn Magistrates Court that Henry had been taken to Greenbank police station in the early hours of August 24 but had become increasingly agitated and aggressive.
She said: “While being taken into custody in the police station he began to struggle and other officers nearby helped restrain him.
“In total there were eight officers. ”
Ms Yates said the accused was heard to say ‘get off me’, and then used a racial term.
Miss Yates said Henry spat at both officers with saliva landing on the face of one of them.
She said the incident had left the police officer feeling ‘disgusted’ and that as he had been struck by spittle there was ‘serious risk of infection’.
Henry had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of racially aggravated assault. No charges arose from the circumstances of his original arrest.
Defending Henry, Richard Prew, said his client had been drinking heavily prior to his arrest with his former partner from 5pm until 1.30am and had consumed ten or more pints of beer.
Mr Prew said: “On an informal scale of intoxication he told me he was 9.5 out of 10. He realises his behaviour was totally unacceptable. He is not racist.
“He is ashamed and wishes through me to apologise to both of the officers.
“He says he was frustrated that he wasn’t being listened to by the officers who arrested him.
“He claims he was the victim of an assault and had a bite mark on his leg.”
Henry has six previous convictions, the last one being in 2008.
Magistrates sentenced Henry to a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation days and ordered him to perform 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay compensation of £200 and £85 costs.