A 33-year-old man lashed out and attacked a police officer after his ‘mummy kicked him out’.
David Mundy pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker when he appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning (Wednesday, 17 August).
Prosecutor Pauline Lambert said police were responding to a call from the defendant’s mother on 22 June this year, reporting that he had become abusive and she wanted him to leave.
PC Newnham arrived at the address in Farndale Close, Penhill, and asked Mundy to move on. He left the area but returned soon after – shouting and swearing.
The defendant was handcuffed by the officer but he started lashing out. He threw punches – impacting only his body armour – and then grabbed at his throat.
The court heard that Mundy apologised to PC Newnham when they arrived at custody. The defendant has previous convictions for assaulting police officers and other crimes such as shoplifting.
Gordon Hotson, defending, said his client caught his hand around the officer’s throat but he did not apply pressure to cut off his breathing – he did as he flailed around, rather than deliberately.
He said Mundy was released from prison for shop theft offences in April this year and returned to live with his mother. On the day in question, there had been a dispute over some missing money – which was said to have been found on the floor later on.
“He accepts the way he behaved was inappropriate”, Mr Hotson added.
Continuing, he confirmed that Mundy is no longer drinking alcohol, despite battling the addiction for many years.
District Judge Joanna Dickens said police officers are “just human beings”, and explained that most people do not go to work and get assaulted.
“It’s not acceptable that police officers are put at this kind of risk. It’s really serious to assault a police officer”, she said. Adding: “Fortunately, the assault did not cause any injuries.”
She imposed a £100 compensation order and told Mundy to complete a three-month alcohol abstinence monitoring programme. No costs were awarded due to his lack of means.
