Former salesman spared jail for racially abusing and assaulting a police officer while ‘extremely intoxicated’

Michael Stainbank, 32, of Warkworth Crescent, Seaham, also pushed the officer – and was violent and verbally abusive throughout their encounter.

Stainbank fired off distasteful language after police were called to check on his wellbeing in Sunderland on Monday, January 25, a court heard.

But he avoided an immediate jail term when magistrates in South Tyneside imprisoned him for four weeks, but suspended the sentence for two years.

Prosecutor Ian Martin said: “Officers attend the defendant in relation to concerns for his welfare.

“He was extremely abusive and aggressive. He made a number of remarks towards the PC which was captured on body-worn camera.

“Throughout the journey he was violent, and he was aggressively kicking and he headbutted the cage.

“At the custody block when being brought in, he has turned towards the PC and assaulted him by pushing him. Officers then restrained him.”

Tom Morgan, defending, said Stainbank may be suffering from bipolar disorder and other mental health complaints.

He added: “The defendant was extremely intoxicated and can’t remember anything that forms the crown’s case.

“His behaviour was unacceptable, it doesn’t fit in with his own belief system.

“Until about the age of 30 he was in sales and had a successful career and was a confident and happy person.

“Out of the blue, and for reasons unknown to him, he became extremely depressed.

“The position is that the defendant was feeling very down and was using alcohol as a crutch.”

Stainbank pleaded guilty to assault by beating of an emergency worker and racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress.

The court heard he was subject to a community order, imposed in February last year for failing to provide a sample for analysis, his only criminal conviction.

Magistrates revoked the order and sentenced him to four weeks in prison for that and for each of the two new offences, all suspended and to run concurrently.

He must undergo 30 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service and a six-month alcohol treatment programme and pay a £128 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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