Man guilty of PC assault (From Free Press Series)

Man guilty of PC assault

ABERGAVENNY magistrates have warned a local man they are keeping all their options open before sentencing him for assaulting a police officer who had to use CS spray to arrest him.

They ordered pre-sentence reports on Mark Thomas Corrigan, 33, of St.Faith's Close, Llanfoist after he admitted being drunk and disorderly, assaulting PC Clare Price and resisting arrest.

Prosecutor Rob Simkins said police officers were speaking to someone in Nevill Street when the defendant started shouting at them, saying he paid their wages and they should go and catch burglars instead.

His eyes were glazed and he deliberately bumped into PC Price, knocking her out of the way and he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly and assaulting the officer.

Mr Simkins said Corrigan then struggled violently and locked his hands together so he could not be handcuffed, kicking out with his legs, and two other officers tried to restrain him.

He added: "PC Price said he was struggling violently and was so strong that she took out her CS spray and he tried to take it from her so two of the officers got sprayed with some of the gas.

"He continued being aggressive and threatening towards the officer and at Ebbw Vale police station continued to abuse her, saying he hoped she died of cancer."

The court heard that Corrigan had been jailed in 1994 for affray.

The case was adjourned for reports and the defendant will appear for sentence at Newport magistrates on July 21.