A man who was jailed for attacking a sex worker after receiving oral sex in an alleyway has returned to court – this time for assaulting police officers.
Daniel Coxhead pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker and being drunk and disorderly when he appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court earlier this month.
Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, said the 38-year-old had been “causing issues” at the Travelodge at Leigh Delamere motorway service station near Chippenham on 9 September last year.
He became aggressive towards staff before vomiting down his legs, sparking a call to the police. When officers arrived at the scene, he became aggressive towards them.
The officers repeatedly told him to stop shouting and swearing, but he continued – as a result, he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly in a public place.
Coxhead then lunged towards the officers, causing them to fear for their safety. He was taken to the floor where he began to collect phlegm in his mouth. They decided to put a spit hood on him.
As the defendant was being taken to the police cell van, he kicked backwards, making contact with both officers’ legs – causing pain and discomfort but no injuries.
The court heard that Coxhead, of the Great Western Hotel, Swindon, had numerous previous convictions for assault, including on emergency workers. The most recent was in March 2022.
In 2020, he was jailed for 14 months after a “sustained assault” on a sex worker, who he punched and kicked in the head moments after receiving oral sex in an alleyway.
Mark Glendenning, defending, said his client offers his apologies to those officers and did say sorry during his interview in police custody. He said the defendant was suffering from mental health issues and was abusing both alcohol and Class A drugs.
Magistrates imposed a 24-month community order, including a six-month mental health treatment requirement and 25 rehabilitation activity days.
No compensation was awarded to the police officers due to the defendant’s lack of means. He must pay costs of £85 and a £114 surcharge.
