Arrested man locked himself in store room

AN arrested man barricaded himself into a police property storage room and used a helmet and a shield to try and fend off officers.

Dean Walton, of Falcon Street in Newsome, kicked off at a police station after his solicitor told him that he would not be released on bail.

He knocked out an officer’s contact lens as he attempted to gauge out his eye during the row on October 14.

Walton was taken to Dewsbury Police Station following his arrest after a robbery at Tesco Express in Bradley.

He has admitted to the offence and faces sentencing at Leeds Crown Court next month.

Walton spoke to his solicitor but was unhappy when told he would not be granted bail, Kirklees magistrates heard.

He then threw the phone receiver over the custody desk and ran into the property storage room opposite and slammed the door shut, barricading himself inside.

Prosecutor Alex Bozman told Kirklees magistrates: “The officer went in and Walton grabbed hold of a police shield.

“Not wanting to risk him barricading himself into the room, the officer grabbed hold of the shield and Walton then took hold of a police helmet which was on top of the property lockers.

“The officer was worried that he’d use this as a weapon and so forced Walton against the lockers.

“There was a struggle where the defendant poked him in the left eye. This was believed to be deliberate as his contact lens came out.

“Walton attempted to gouge the officer’s eye, spat out and carried on making threats.”

The PC suffered scratches to his eye and ear during the unprovoked attack, the Huddersfield court was told.

Just four days earlier Walton caused £1,000 worth of damage while in detention at the same police station in Aldams Road.

He was observed throwing paper onto the floor and this was the PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act) codes of practice book.

The 27-year-old was then escorted into a medical room after complaining that he was unwell.

Mr Bozman said: “He swore and pulled the blood pressure monitor off his arm.

“When he was asked to leave the room he deliberately poured water over a laptop on the nurse’s desk causing £1,000 worth of damage.”

Walton, who appeared in court via a video link from HMP Leeds, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty.

He is on remand after pleading guilty to the robbery and will be sentenced by a crown court judge on December 14.

Paul Blanchard, mitigating, explained that his client has always been supported by his dad, who has recently died.

He said: “This set him into a downward spiral and a complete break down.

“At the time he wasn’t acting in accordance with his normal character.

“He appears to have been angry with everybody, the whole world.

“The damage wasn’t a deliberate act and Dean wasn’t acting as he normally would do with police.”

Chairman of the bench Wayne Perriman described Walton’s behaviour as “quite serious” and jailed him for eight weeks.

Walton will have to pay £115 victim surcharge upon his release.