Man punched his mum because she wouldn't sit and watch television with him

Blackburn magistrates heard that when police arrived Neil Pollard landed a double punch to the chest of a female officer which sent her flying 10 feet backwards.

Pollard, of Hawthorne Road, Burnley, pleaded guilty to three charges of assaulting Kathleen Pollard and assaulting a police officer. He was given a conditional discharge for nine months and ordered to pay £200 compensation to the police officer.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said the defendant was autistic and had learning difficulties. There was an argument about travelling to watch his brother dancing the following day and he became aggressive.

Mrs Pollard left the room to try and diffuse the situation, the court heard.

"When she returned he said he was going to bed and went to hug her," said Mrs Yates. "He suddenly punched her with her fist knocking her backwards."

When the police arrived the first officer to enter the house was a female and he punched her with both fists.

"He was shouting and screaming and it took three male officers to detain him after he had been parva sprayed," said Mrs Yates. "When he was interviewed the first thing he said was that he was sorry for hitting the police officer and his mum. He said his mum wouldn't watch TV with him and he hit her. He said he gets angry quickly and then feels sorry afterwards."

Mark Williams, defending, said the last thing his client's mum had wanted to do was involve the police.

"Social services have been trying to sort out a placement for him and it seems that will now become more urgent," said Mr Williams. He said Mrs Pollard had a dance school and they had been meant to be going to watch the defendant's brother dance the following day.

"He didn't want to go and that is what started the problem," said Mr Williams.