A man has been jailed after damaging a launderette in a drunken rage and then assaulting two officers while being booked into police custody.
On 15th November 2019 at 14:00 hours, Spencer James, 43, of Harrow Road, Wembley, walked into Ladbrokes betting shop in Soham high street.
James, who was carrying numerous bags and a can of beer, plugged his phone into the wall to charge whilst loitering inside the shop.
He was challenged by a member of staff who asked him to leave as the shop didn’t allow alcohol on the premises.
James walked out but left behind various belongings including his phone. He then visited a launderette nearby before returning to the betting shop.
He asked the same member of staff to make a bet, but due to him slurring his words, he was again asked to leave.
James went back to the launderette and was followed by the betting shop staff member, carrying the items he had left behind.
James was asked not to visit the betting shop again due to his intoxication, which annoyed him and due to his aggressive behaviour, the police were called. Two members of the public held the launderette door closed from the outside, to contain James until the police arrived but in a bid to escape, James kicked the door to the launderette which damaged the glass.
James was arrested and taken to Parkside Police Station in Cambridge. He became frustrated whilst being booked into custody and walked into an interview room.
Two officers asked him to return to the custody desk but James refused to move, began shouting and had to be restrained by the arms.
Trying to break free, James jerked his arms upwards, forcing one of the officers against a wall, and pushed the other officer away.
More officers arrived to help and James was placed into a custody cell.
In his police interview, James denied the assaults but admitted, and later pleaded guilty to, criminal damage by kicking the door of the launderette.
However, on Monday 8th February, the day of his trial, he pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating an emergency worker at Cambridge Crown Court. He was sentenced to a total of 30 weeks in prison.
PC Rachel Burnett, who investigated, said:
“James’s actions on the day of this incident were unacceptable.
“Our officers and other emergency workers deserve to do their job without being subjected to violence. We take incidents of this nature incredibly seriously and will do all we can to bring offenders before the courts.”
