Curfew for 'disgraceful' attack on police officer

A man who assaulted a police officer in a "disgraceful" assault has been ordered to stay at home every night for the next four months.

Michael Eaton, 50, attacked a custody officer at Forth Banks Police Station in Newcastle during a welfare check, the city's crown court heard.

He had been arrested after failing an alcohol breath test having had a near miss with a police car.

He admitted assaulting an emergency worker and was given a 12-month community order with a four-month curfew between 19:00 and 07:00.

Eaton, a former civil servant and taxi driver, narrowly avoided hitting a police car when he was driving along Durham Road in Wrekenton, Gateshead, on 12 July, prosecutor Robin Turton said.

After failing a breath test he was taken to Forth Banks Police Station and put in a cell.

Shortly after 04:00 BST, an officer went to check in on him, the court heard.

Eaton told the officer he wanted to commit a crime, then grabbed him and wrestled him to the floor with the minute-long attack only ending when other officers pulled the men apart.

In a statement, the officer said he had injured his elbow in the "shocking" attack and had been disappointed to be set upon while trying to help Eaton.

In mitigation, David Callan said Eaton, of Moss Side in Wrekenton, was seeking help for mental health issues.

He said it was a case of "drink in, sense out", with Eaton having been out for the night and then making the "ridiculous" decision to drive to get a takeaway.

Judge Mitchell told Eaton the attack was "disgraceful and wrong", adding: "I won't have it.

"If I ever see you again for something like this I promise you a jail sentence."

He said the officer was "doing their best" to look after Eaton and the attack was "terrifying" as they did not know what he would do next.

Eaton, who was previously convicted and fined for drinking and driving, was also ordered to pay £250 compensation to the officer.

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