Man hiding next to bins attacked police officers
A CONVICT has been recalled to prison after flooring one police officer by punching him in the mouth and hitting another with his head.
The constables had attended an unrelated incident on a street in Newcastle and were initially searching for Konnor Kesson, who they found hiding between two wheelie bins. A court heard they thought the 28-year-old was carrying something, so asked him to show his hands, which he ignored.
As a result, one officer approached him, prompting Kesson to lash out with his fist and punch the victim in the mouth, knocking him to the ground. During the commotion, where Kesson was sprayed with CS gas and hit with a baton, another constable tried to assist his colleague, prosecutors said.
But Kesson lashed out again, this time jolting his head backwards and hitting the second victim on the forehead. He was eventually restrained and arrested.
Kesson, formerly of Blakelaw, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court via video link from HMP Northumberland on Thursday to plead guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.
Marc Atkins, prosecuting, said police were called to a street in Newcastle for an unrelated matter and were searching for Kesson. Mr Atkins continued: “One officer approached the defendant at which point the defendant punched the officer in the mouth causing him to fall to the ground. The defendant punched the officer repeatedly. The officer activated his incapacity spray but it had little effect on the defendant.
“Another officer then offered his colleague some assistance. At the time he came into play, the defendant and the other officer were on the ground. The officer took out his baton and struck the defendant with it but it had little effect on the defendant.
“While assisting his colleague, the defendant threw his head backwards, striking the officer on the forehead. Further officers arrived and the defendant was eventually controlled and handcuffed.”
The court heard that neither constables required hospital treatment. However, Kesson did and he was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
After the incident, Kesson, who was jailed for 56 months in 2017, was recalled to prison to serve the rest of his sentence. Magistrates also jailed him for 14 weeks for the attack on the two officers and ordered him to pay each of them £100 in compensation.