A MAN accidentally called the police and threw pottery at officers while they tried to arrest his girlfriend, a court has heard.
Thomas Sean Wickham, of Devereux Road, Amesbury, pleaded guilty to common assault of an emergency worker at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on Friday, July 26.
The 27-year-old construction worker, who has 20 previous convictions for 45 offences, claimed he 'butt-dialled' the police shortly after his grandfather died on October 22, 2023.
Three police officers were sent to Denton Drive to investigate and found Wickham with a cut lip.
The officers arrested his girlfriend, who did not comply, and Wickham began throwing "heavy objects" at them out the window on the first floor of the property.
Wickham continued to lob pottery and "projectiles" and PC James Nicholson sustained injuries as he attempted to handcuff Wickham's girlfriend while his colleagues took cover.
Adam Cooper, prosecuting, said: "His purpose seems to be to prevent the arrest.
"[PC Nicholson] continues to deal with it but after he has dealt with everything, the adrenaline wears off and he is clearly unhappy and in pain."
PC Nicholson went to hospital as he was still in pain and his fingers were tingling "with pins and needles".
"For a short time afterwards he was not able to drive or write or continue his duties at full capacity for a number of days," added Mr Cooper.
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Wickham's most recent offence was assault against an emergency worker in September 2022.
Paul Jones, defending, said: "He realises he did not deal with this matter very well."
The incident took place just after the death of Wickham's grandfather and the couple were drinking and "very noisy in the house", Mr Jones added.
Wickham sat on his phone and accidentally phoned the police and the handler could hear "something" and sent officers out to see what was going on.
"He could have dealt with things far better, he accepts that. This all started with a misunderstanding," said Mr Jones.
"The prosecution is right, he has a number of previous convictions, but in the last couple of years they have been reducing. He is very much reducing the time he spends in court."
The court heard how Wickham signed up to Turning Point and had abstained from alcohol for 112 days when he was convicted.
Magistrates ordered for a pre-sentencing report to be completed and adjourned the case until September 16 for sentencing.
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