A man who lunged at a police officer in a cell after being found acting suspiciously on a city industrial estate early in the morning has been jailed.
Kevin James Millar, 47, was detained after officers were alerted to a male tampering with equipment at a premises in the Kingstown area just before 6am on February 26. The initial caller reported that the man had been loitering around the site the night before, taking note of a power supply system that had recently been fitted.
PCs arrived at the scene, identified the male as Millar and found latex gloves in a Citroen vehicle, along with an axe and adjustable spanner.
While being transported to Durranhill police station, Millar, of Longtown Road, Brampton, made threats to officers, Carlisle Magistrates Court heard yesterday.
Those were said to have continued at the police station, where Millar refused to hand over a hoodie when requested. One PC entered a cell and was explaining to Millar as he lay on a bed that if he didn’t hand it over, it would be taken from him.
CCTV showed Millar being restrained after suddenly lunging towards the constable, who said: “I believe he was trying to attack me at that time given what he had said during the journey to custody, whilst in custody and immediately before entering the cell.” Millar was said to have stated ‘watch what happens’, before the officer entered.
Millar denied common assault of an emergency worker and went on trial, when the officer denied he had overreacted or misunderstood the situation. In evidence, Miller denied making threats and claimed he was getting up to hand over his hoodie. He also alleged he was the victim of an assault, suffering a black eye and swelling for which he was treated in hospital.
John Temperley, district judge, said he was satisfied Millar’s actions had put the PC in fear that he was about to be physically assaulted, and found him guilty. “That must have been Mr Millar’s intention,” said the district judge. “He was angry. He was upset. He didn’t want to hand over his clothing, and that was what resulted.”
Millar, who admitted going equipped for theft with the axe and spanner, was in breach of bail and a curfew at the time of the offences, and had been released from prison only days earlier.
He received an immediate eight-week jail term for going equipped, and must pay a £250 fine for the assault.
