Suicide bid man kicked police officer

3:53pm Tuesday 19th February 2008

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AN apprentice joiner who wanted to kill himself smashed a police woman's finger when officers turned up to detain him.

Burnley magistrates heard Daniel Saunders, 18, who had had a cocktail of alcohol and pills, wished to die in peace and put up a struggle as he did not want to go to hospital.

The defendant injured PC Sarah Owen as she took hold of his leg so he could be carried to a police van.

Saunders, of Minor Street, Crawshawbooth, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm. He was bailed until March 7, for a pre-sentence report.

Silvia Dacre, prosecuting, told the court at just after midnight police were called to Clarence Street, Haslingden, and officers found the defendant drunk and upset.

He said he had taken 40 paracetamol tablets and the police thought he may need to be detained under the Mental Health Act.

When Saunders was handcuffed, he sat on the floor and when the police went to lift him into a van he was swearing and threatening the officers.

Miss Dacre said PC Owen took hold of his leg and the defendant kicked out and caught her, bending back her finger.

Her finger hurt and became swollen and sore. Both the defendant and the officer went to hospital.

Nick Dearing, defending, said Saunders had attempted suicide as everything had got on top of him.

He added: "He never meant to hurt anybody but himself."