Fine for absinthe drinker who attacked police

Jamie Haythorne (28) of no fixed abode, assaulted PC Neil Windle and PC Bradley Hunt in Rotherham while they tried to arrest him.

Haythorne admitted the offences at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Miss Kate Spence, prosecuting, said the police officers had been called to reports of drunken men in the street at 9.20am on March 10.

“They located the defendant, who was obviously in drink, was unsteady on his feet, and was shouting and swearing,” she said.

“Officers attempted to arrest the defendant but he resisted. He continued to resist until he was restrained.”

When the officers tried to put Haythorne in the back of a police van, he swore at them, Miss Spence said.

Haythorne tried to kick PC Windle, missed, and then kicked out again, this time connecting with his stomach, causing him an injury.

“In the struggle, the defendant became free from PC Hunt and as he did so, struck him with his elbow,” said Miss Spence.

Haythorne also hit the door of the police van, causing it swing back and hit PC Windle.

PC Hunt said in a victim impact statement, which was read to the court, that he felt pain and discomfort following the incident and he had not expected to be assaulted.

Mr Matt Hague, mitigating, said Haythorne had no recollection of the offence.

“He was with a friend of a friend and they were drinking a drink called absinthe,” said Mr Hague.

"It’s not a drink he has had before, and that resulted in the offence.”

Mr Hague said Haythorne usually spent the night with friends but sometimes had to sleep on the streets.

He said Haythorne did not have a problem with drink and had expressed a great deal of remorse about the incident.

Chair of the Bench Mr Stephen Bellamy said assaulting a police officer was a serious offence.

He fined Haythorne £70 and ordered him to pay £50 compensation to each officer and £40 costs.