A MAN who punched a police officer to the ground in Millom has been jailed for a year.
Thomas Jake Vallantine, 21, committed a string of crimes after visiting his former partner’s town home on the morning of June 28 after the pair had argued.
As she locked the doors of her home and barricaded herself into an upstairs room, Vallantine went on a wrecking spree outside – damaging a front door, two gates and even a bird bath.
When police arrived, bare-chested Ballantyne was captured on body-cam footage knocking a constable to the ground with a single “surprise” punch to the face after being told he would be arrested. The officer was treated in hospital.
Vallantine, of Bankside, Millom, admitted charges of criminal damage, affray, escaping from custody and assault with intent to resist arrest. His barrister told Carlisle Crown Court he was “genuinely horrified” and “very ashamed” of his criminal conduct.
Vallantine was jailed by Judge James Adkin, and banned from contacting his ex for five years.
