Sunderland thug jailed after kicking and biting police officers during arrest struggle

David Stamp, 31, of Gray Road, Hendon, Sunderland, lashed out so aggressively that protective spray was used to try to subdue him by the roadside.

But even that did not fully work and he continued to hit out and scream even as handcuffs were finally applied, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.

Prosecutor Grace Taylor described a scene of chaos as Stamp was approached by the two officers on Saturday, August 8, in Durham Road, Sunderland.

They were alerted after a passer-by spotted Stamp holding a bottle while standing next to a Northumbrian Water vehicle which had its windscreen put out.

She said: “The van was parked up with its hazard flashing lights. There was a male there and the windscreen was smashed.

“The defendant threw a wine bottle in his direction and said ‘what are you doing?’ while trying to open the passenger door.

“The witness has driven away and called the police who have arrived within five minutes.”

Ms Taylor said Stamp was immediately aggressive, was staggering and appeared drunk.

She added: “One officer approached him and he said ‘are we doing this?’ At that point, he tensed up and pulled away from the officer.

“The other officer has taken the defendant’s right arm and told him to calm down. The defendant had fists and hands clenched.

“They issue several warnings, but he behaves more aggressively, and the officers use take down methods to get him to the ground to handcuff him.

“On the ground he is still tense, and says, “I’ll do you’, and kicks his legs towards both officers.

“He kicks [one officer] in the head several times when he attempts to apply handcuffs, and he was doing the same to [the second officer].

“Due to his behaviour the officers decide to use spray, which had an immediate effect and caused him to scream.

“The officers again attempted to apply handcuffs but the defendant was still aggressive.

“He dug his nails into [the second officer’s] wrist, and he refused to let go. He also kicked him in the head, and kicked the other officer’s knee, causing pain.”

The court heard Stamp also smashed a double glazed window of the Letsmove estate agency in Wallsend, North Tyneside, causing £200 of damage, on Wednesday, October 21.

And on the same day, he stole eight cans of lager and a two litre bottle of Fanta from a nearby Premier store, valued at £12.

Greg Flaxen, defending, said: “He accepts completely the facts, and you may not be surprised that alcohol was involved.

“He’s ready to go to prison, he thinks that’s the option for him. Mr Stamp, I think, is at the end of his tether.

“He knows he’s done wrong and is ready to accept his punishment.”

Stamp pleaded guilty to two charges of assaulting an emergency worker, causing criminal damage, destroying or damaging property, and theft from a shop.

He was jailed for 12 weeks for each of the two assaults, to run consecutively, and four weeks for causing criminal damage, to run concurrently.

He must pay compensation of £100 to each officer, £200 to Letsmove and £12 to the shop.

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