Hartlepool man jailed after attacking police officer

Nathan Philip Watson, 30, of King Oswy Drive, Hartlepool, was told by magistrates that a prison term was the only sentence justified in the circumstances.

Watson admitted attacking the male officer on May 12 last year in the town.

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour, one involving a second officer, on the same date.

In addition, he admitted a fourth charge of causing criminal damage to a Middlesbrough police cell the following day.

Watson was jailed for four weeks by Teesside Magistrates’ Court, in Middlesbrough, for each of the assault and criminal damage offences and for one of the abusive words or behaviour counts.

He received a 12-month conditional discharge for the second abusive words or behaviour offence and was ordered to pay compensation of £50 for the attack and £300 for the damaged cell.

The £350 sum must be paid by the end of September.

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