Drunk who frightened pub staff and attempted to head-butt PC is jailed

A DRUNK Derby man frightened staff at a city centre pub before going on to assault a police officer.

Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court heard Scott Baker had been drinking 9% strong lager with a friend from early in the morning when he carried out the offences.

Police were called to the Brewery Tap, in Derwent Street, but when they arrived the 35-year-old had moved to the nearby probation office. His demands for an appointment there were turned down and as he was asked to leave he made what the court heard was “a feeble attempt” to head-butt the chest of an officer.

Jailing the defendant for 18 weeks, District Judge Jonathan Taaffe said: “This is an appalling incident where you have caused a disturbance in a public house leaving staff frightened. You then go on and abuse a member of the public doing an act of service.

“I acknowledge you were drunk and I accept you can’t remember it but this was all during the time when you were subject to a community order.

“You would expect your behaviour to be exemplary but it was precisely the opposite.”

Peter Bettany, prosecuting, said police were called to the pub on Monday. He said Baker, of Great Northern Road, was drunk and arguing in there and the workers wanted him to leave.

Mr Bettany said the defendant made his way to the probation service office where he began arguing with a female receptionist. He said: “His speech was slurred, he was clearly intoxicated and swearing and shouting.

“The police officer asked him what his name was and he replied ‘Baker, Scott Baker’ and when he was asked what was going on he said he wanted an appointment. He then started talking to himself saying ‘I am not causing a problem’.”

Mr Bettany said Baker swore at a police officer and “without warning threw himself” at the officer, making contact with the victim’s chest with his head. He said: “The officer said it was rather a feeble attempt.

“He was arrested and interviewed saying he could not remember being in the pub or the probation office. He said his friend had come round with some 9% lager and they had been drinking it from 10am.”

Baker pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly and to assaulting an emergency worker.