Hartlepool suspect spat at two policemen after being cuffed and sprayed with CS gas

Mark Anthony Adams, 34, committed the ‘disgusting behaviour’ after being challenged by the two policemen and sprayed in the face with CS gas.

Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard that Adams ran away when approached by the officers in Park Square, Hartlepool, at around 5pm on Sunday, January 26.

Prosecuting solicitor John Garside said: “They were looking for the defendant for another offence.

“When challenged he then ran off, stepped in an alleyway off Hart Lane and managed to run off but was followed by the officers.”

Mr Garside said Adams ran towards one of the officers, knocking him over into the road on Hart Lane causing him to bang his head.

He was chased up Hart Lane by the second officer and onto a driveway where the policeman discharged the CS gas.

As Adams was being handcuffed he spat at both officers. He later apologised and admitted two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

District Judge Helen Cousins told him: “Spitting at police officers is utterly disgusting.”

Neil Bennett, defending, said in mitigation: “He was spitting out after being gassed by the police, but that came about because he responded in the way he shouldn’t have initially.”

The court heard Adams, of Hart Lane, has issues with alcohol.

The judge added: “You have pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity and you haven’t got a record that causes me concern.”

He was given probation in the form of a 12-month community order with six months alcohol treatment and up to 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Adams was also ordered to pay each officer £100 on top of £85 court costs.

The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act came into force in November 2018, and in its first year some 20,000 offences were charged by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Cleveland Police Chief Constable Richard Lewis has said he will not tolerate attacks against his officers.