Man assaulted police officers after being turned away from pub for being too drunk

Gareth Sheraton, 27, hit the two officers when they tried to arrest him at the Borough pub in Vine Place on Friday, September 11.

Sheraton, of Mitchell Street, Birtley, Gateshead, had turned up drunk and been denied entry by door staff – and police arrived in support.

The door fitting firm worker caused a three centimetre gash to one PC’s head and bruised the face of the other, magistrates in South Tyneside heard.

They spared him a possible year in prison but ordered him to pay compensation to the officers and complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

Prosecutor Lesley Burgess said: “The incident involved two police officers who have attended the Borough pub after a report about Mr Sheraton.

“Both were injured when they effected the arrest of Mr Sheraton.

“The defendant put his head back and connects with an officer’s cheek area. The officer had to be seen by a nurse practitioner at the police station.

“The other officer receives a three centimetre cut to the head.

“Both officers say that they have children and describe having to go home and explain why they had injuries.”

Paul Donoghue, defending, said: “It’s depressingly familiar that a defendant comes to court and says they can’t remember it.

“I think this young man really can’t remember. I don’t think he’s committed this offence because he doesn’t like police. He’s just got himself into a state.”

Kay Gilbert, chair of the bench, said: “We think that this is all about respect.

“The concern is that you were drinking so much that you didn’t know how to show respect.”

Sheraton, who pleaded guilty to two assaults by beating of an emergency worker, was also given an 18-month community order.

It includes 28 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service and 19 sessions of the Thinking Skills programme.

He must pay £150 compensation to the officer whose head he cut and £100 to the second PC, as well as a £95 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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