The Sentinel

PLASTERER, 41, JUMPED ON VAN ROOF AFTER TAKING MONKEY DUST

Man vows never to take the drug again

- Sentinel Reporter newsdesk@reachplc.com

PLASTERER Steven Kelly bit a police officer after being caught jumping up and down on a van.

The 41-year-old had taken monkey dust when he resisted arrest and bit through the officer’s trousers, leaving a red mark on his skin.

Officers used parva spray and leg restraints to bring the defendant under control and arrest him.

Now Kelly has been handed a 12 month community order and hit with an £880 court bill at North Staffordsh­ire Justice Centre.

Police had been called to Alexandra Street, Stone, at 2.25am on August 23 because Kelly was standing on the roof of the Renault van.

Prosecutor Hayley Keegan said: “Police attended and saw the defendant still on the roof. They requested he climb down.

“He did and he was arrested for criminal damage.

“He became aggressive and began resisting.

“An officer was bitten on the right upper leg through his trousers.

“Parva spray had to be used, but that did not have an effect.

“He was placed in leg restraints and arrested for assaulting an emergency worker.”

Kelly revealed he had taken a quantity of alcohol, cocaine and monkey dust.

Kelly, of Victor Street, Stone, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker. He told a probation officer that he thought his friend had bought cocaine – but it was, in fact, monkey dust.

He could remember climbing on the van, but could not remember assaulting the officer.

He does not intend to use the drug again.

Garath Davies, mitigating, said: “Monkey dust makes people do bizarre things. He has little or no recollecti­on.

“He has accepted it and pleaded guilty. He can pay compensati­on.”

The community order includes a 28-day curfew from 8pm to 6am.

He must also pay £500 compensati­on to the van owner; £100 to the police officer; £185 costs, and a £95 surcharge.

 ??  ?? BIZARRE BEHAVIOUR: Steven Kelly.
BIZARRE BEHAVIOUR: Steven Kelly.

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