‘RECKLESS’ MAN THREW PUNCH AT POLICE OFFICER

THIRTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD Nathan Birks has been fined £120 after he assaulted a police officer.

Prosecutor Emily Pybus told North Staffordshire Justice Centre that police were called to an address in Longton at 10.50pm on October 15 following reports of a domestic incident.

Ms Pybus said he was initially co-operative until Birks’s partner attacked him with a mobile phone and a struggle began for it.

She added: “The officer put himself in between the defendant and his partner in an attempt to remove the mobile phone from the defendant. At that point, the defendant threw his left fist towards the officer.

“The defendant glanced the officer’s neck with his fist making slight contact. The defendant lunged towards the officer and a struggle ensued.”

Birks, of Red Bank, Longton, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker.

David Houldcroft, mitigating, said it was a ‘reckless’ incident but the officer was not injured. He said Birks is apologetic for what happened

As well as the fine, Birks must pay £185 costs and a £34 surcharge.