Officer butted by drunk student, 19, in Newport

Scott Denis Davies also shouted at passing motorists and challenged people in the main square of Newport to a fight during the fracas, Telford Magistrates Court was told.

Davies, 19, of Tong, near Shifnal, admitted being drunk and disorderly in a public place and also assaulting Constable Leigh Barnes in the execution of his duties in the incident on January 31.

He was conditionally discharged for 12 months and ordered to pay Mr Barnes £50 compensation.

He was further ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Mrs Katie Price, prosecuting, told the court yesterday that Constable Barnes and a community support officer were on patrol in Newport in a police car when they passed the Barley Mow pub and saw Davies collapsed and unconscious outside.

She said staff told the officers Davies had fallen and injured his head and so a paramedic was called.

Mrs Price said Davies came round and was helped to his feet but he then started swaying across the road, shouting at passing motorists and becoming more aggressive. Friends tried to calm him down but Davies moved into the square where he threatened to fight passers-by.

Mrs Price said when Constable Barnes went to Davies the teenager headbutted him on the shoulder and so was arrested.

She said he resisted when handcuffed and continued to be aggressive on the journey to the police station, spitting at Mr Barnes and threatening to kill him and the community support officer. Mr John Mcmillan, for Davies, said his client was a full-time graphic design student who had never been drunk, aggressive or in trouble before.

He said: "He's normally a quiet, sensible, calm young man."

Mr Mcmillan said: "He remembers going out and having a few drinks with some of his friends and going to the Barley and that's when his memory ends."

Mr Mcmillan said it was possible someone had spiked Davies's drinks on the night and said his client was very apologetic and had written to Mr Barnes to say so.