A man who fought with police during an incident in a West Cumbria village has been told by a judge that such behaviour will not be tolerated.
PCs sought to speak with Ronald Barry, 35, after driving in front of his vehicle to stop it, at Church Street in Harrington, on August 16. This was in connection with a previously reported incident.
An officer tried to take hold of Barry. “At that point the defendant began struggling, pulling his arms back and resisting the officer,” prosecutor Tim Evans told Carlisle Crown Court today.
Barry continued to struggle as a colleague came to assist, and he was taken out of the vehicle and put to the floor. “He continues to resist,” added Mr Evans. Statements provided by officers spoke of Barry “fighting” with them and “throwing himself around”.
One officer suffered a minor injury. After being taken to a police station, Barry tried to swallow a wrap of white substance and had a wrap of brown powder in the pocket of his shorts.
He admitted obstructing a police constable and possessing heroin. His lawyer, Sean Harkin, admitted it had been a “deliberate obstruction” by Barry, who received a six-month community order and was told to complete an eight-week nighttime curfew.
“When the police come to your car to speak to you, they are doing their job,” Judge Nicholas Barker told Barry, of Moorclose Road, Harrington, as sentence was passed.
“Their job is to address you, speak to you, enquire as to whether there is any crime. It is not for you, or indeed any citizen, to start to fight or struggle with police officers.
“You are fortunate in this case that the officer was not more seriously injured, otherwise you would be looking at an immediate custodial sentence.
“This court will not tolerate violence towards police officers.”
