24-year-old Jay Clasper, who complained it was ‘too hot’ in the back of a police van, has been fined after injuring an officer when he kicked out as the rear door was opened.
Clasper, of Lower Woodside Road in Wooton, appeared before Magistrates earlier this week having previously admitted a single charge of assault a constable in the execution of their duty.
Prosecuting, Steven Woolfe, said that on the 4th May, Clasper – who had been arrested on unrelated matters – was complaining that it was too hot in the back of the police van transporting him to Newport Police Station.
The court heard how Clasper was telling officers he “didn’t like small spaces” and that he suffered from claustrophobia.
Once the vehicle had stopped, the rear door was opened to allow freshair to get into the cell. It was then that Clasper, who had managed to manipulate his handcuffs to the front of his body, kicked out at the door, injuring an officer’s hand and leaving it throbbing.
Defending Clasper, Michael McGoldrick, said that his client was in distress on the day in question but that he “doesn’t really remember” what exactly happend.
Magistrates opted to fine Clasper, who has a total of 3 offences against the person on his record, £150 and order he pay compensation of £50 and a £60 surcharge fee.
Such lenient sentence, is that all police officers are worth
it’s a complete joke, hardly a good recruitment advertisement
you may get assaulted and the culprit responsible will get off
lightly.
Time to get tough with persons disrespecting the law.