January 23, 2020 2.14 pm This story is over 58 months old

Man punches himself and assaults police officer during interview

The officer suffered an injury to her thumb
It happened while the man was in an interview room at Grantham Police Station. Photo: Google Street View

A man turned violent and injured a police officer while being interviewed, Lincoln Crown Court was told on Thursday.

Liam Reeve was in an interview room at Grantham Police Station but quickly became verbally aggressive.

Tom Heath, prosecuting, said: “He was told to calm down but then started to punch himself. He was told he wouldn’t be interviewed when he was so agitated. He then began shouting and swearing and banging his head on the table.”

Reeve smashed a plastic litter bin and picked up one of the pieces. An officer tried to restrain him but was injured in the process.

“Her left thumb was bent backwards and part of the nail was ripped off. Other officers attended and he was restrained.”

Mr Heath said that a spit hood was used as Reeve was spitting blood. The injured officer was subsequently taken to hospital where her injury was examined and cleaned.

During the incident recording equipment was damaged as well as the plastic bin. As a result of what happened the interview room had to be deep-cleaned.

Reeve, 22, of Lumbys Terrace, Stamford, admitted charges of assaulting an emergency worker and damaging property as a result of the incident on October 12, 2019.

Mark Watson, in mitigation, said that Reeve has a number of problems and reacted when allegations were put to him that he did not accept.

Mr Watson told the court: “He knows that he needs help. He was trying to harm himself. He did not deliberately try to attack the officer.

“The three months he has been in custody have been his first time in custody. He has not liked the experience and it has been difficult for him.”

Reeve was given a 12-month community order with a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Judge Julie Warburton, passing sentence, said that she was only able to impose a community order because Reeve spent 14 weeks in custody awaiting the case to be dealt with.

She told him: “The officer suffered an injury to her thumb. Those dealing with you were just doing their jobs. They should be entitled to do so without being abused or assaulted.

“I hope the sentence will give you the help and support you need. You cannot use the issues you have to behave in the way you did on this occasion.”