A Newcastle burglar who spat in the eye of a Metro worker and kicked his trainer into the groin of a police officer has been jailed. Lee Dickinson, 35, of Vallum Court, Elswick, admitted the assault on the Nexus employee and will spend Christmas behind bars.
Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard that Dickinson was on a platform at Wallsend Metro Station on July 8, drinking alcohol and being aggressive, when a security guard approached him. The defendant became violent and was restrained against a wall, during which he spat in the face of one of the workers, hitting him in the left eye.
Arrest and further assault
Police were called and Dickinson was arrested, but he continued to refuse to calm down. While being placed in a cell at Etal Lane Police Station and told to remove his shoes, he kicked his trainer at an officer, striking him in the groin and causing immediate pain.
Dickinson, who was already serving a 42-week prison sentence for burglary, appeared via video link from prison. He pleaded guilty to assault by beating and assaulting a police officer during the execution of his duty.
Court statements and sentencing
In a statement, the Metro worker said: "I work in the Metro security team and help members of the public to feel safe. I didn't show any aggression to this male and I spoke to him very calmy and gave him no reason to spit in my face,. It's disgusting."
Ian Hudson, defending, said the court was limited in how to sentence Dickinson because he was already serving a jail term. District Judge Paul Currer sentenced Dickinson to 16 weeks in prison and ordered him to pay £200 compensation to the Nexus employee.
Judge Currer said: "You were in a Metro station intoxicated and I'm sure that contributed to your behaviour. You were asked to leave by members of the security team. When you were detained and for no reason, when you were in close range of a Metro inspector, you spat directly in his face, landing in his eye. That is an appalling thing to do. I'm sure you're sorry for it but it's a terrible assault on someone who is just doing their job."
