A FACTORY worker who had a “skinful” to drink assaulted three police officers while in custody, a Salisbury court heard.

William Harvey, 19, pleaded guilty to three charges of assaulting an emergency worker and one of being drunk and disorderly on Wesley Road in Trowbridge when he appeared at Salisbury Magistrates Court on Friday, September 16.

Prosecutor Bethany Adams said police attended an address in Newtown at around 1am on August 28 to reports of a disorder but on arrival the male had left the property and was found a short distance away.

Harvey, of Newhurst Park, Hilperton, fell into a road and was described as being “in drink” and was given multiple chances to go home but couldn’t remember his address. He “became agitated” with the officers trying to help him and was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

While in the police van he tried to headbutt the van walls and when he arrived at the custody desk in Melksham was shouting and swearing which led to him being taken straight to a cell to be searched.

The court heard the defendant lashed out with his legs and feet – kicking one of the officers in the testicle.

He was left in the cell but started foaming at the mouth. While officers put him in the recovery position he kicked one of the officers and spat at them and another officer with spittle landing on them.

Ms Adams described it as a “prolonged, persistent assault” on three emergency workers.

William Griffiths, defending Harvey, said the 19-year-old didn’t recall what happened and that the incident had been “out of character” for him.

He said the teenager after sobering up had shown his remorse and apologised when he was charged with the offences.

Mr Griffiths said the teenager had gone out for drinks with friends in Trowbridge and didn’t regularly drink. Adding: “He had an absolute skinful and was not used to it.”

He remembered going to a pub and nightclub in the town then the next thing he remembers was being in a police van. He couldn’t remember what happened with the officers.

Chair of the magistrates’ bench, Alix Smith, said: “You apologised and are clearly aware of what a nasty incident this was.”

The court imposed an 18-month community order with a requirement to complete 200 hours of unpaid work for the assaults.

For being drunk and disorderly he was fined £130.

He was also ordered to pay compensation totalling £400 in addition to a surcharge of £114 and court costs of £85.

Speaking after the hearing, CPS Wessex Chief Crown Prosecutor, Suzanne Llewellyn said: “Assaults against emergency workers are completely unacceptable. The CPS will not tolerate such attacks on critical workers who are doing their jobs, keeping members of the public and communities safe from harm.

“Whenever our legal test is met, we will prosecute offenders to make sure they are brought to justice for compromising the safety of our vital emergency workers.”