Accrington arrested man spat at officer (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Accrington arrested man spat at officer

9:00pm Friday 11th January 2013 in Hyndburn

A 23-YEAR-OLD man reacted out of frustration after being arrested for something he hadn’t done.

Blackburn magistrates heard Townsend kicked out at a cell door causing damage, spat at a custody officer and then headbutted him.

And the court was told it took four officers to restrain Townsend and put him in leg restraints during which his head was covered with a blanket to prevent him spitting at anyone else.

Townsend, 23, of College Court, Accrington, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and assaulting Philip Dickinson.

He was made subject to community supervision for 12 months, ordered to do 120 hours unpaid work and pay £50 compensation to Mr Dickinson and £200 to Lancashire Constabulary.

Graeme Parkinson, defending, said Townsend was arrested along with two other people but was not charged with anything.

Mr Parkinson. “He remembers very little of what happened in the police station and all he can say is that it was out of character.”