Topless Telford man lashed out at police
It took five police officers to subdue and arrest a man who was walking up and down a town centre street topless, shouting and swearing, a court heard.
One officer was injured as they tackled 40-year-old David Green in a car park after he rushed towards a group of people, magistrates were told.
Mrs Abigail Hall, prosecuting at Telford Magistrates Court, said officers had been called to a "public disorder" incident involving 20 people in Market Street, Oakengates, on September 13. She said Green was seen in an "agitated state"and shouting at people with his shirt off.
Officers repeatedly told the defendant to go home but their requests were ignored and, as Green ran towards the group, they attempted to arrest him.
"He was lashing out in a violent manner," said Mrs Hall who added that the defendant had struck one of the officers to the head, leaving a lump, cuts and bruises.
Green was sprayed twice with pepper spray before the officers finally managed to subdue him, but he continued to be aggressive, headbutting the side of the police vehicle while inside, said Mrs Hall.
The defendant later told police he had been involved in an argument with the group of people but denied being drunk, she added.
He said he had had one pint of water, one pint of coke and five pints of larger and described himself as "not drunk, but merry".
Green, of Park Street Shifnal, admitted being drunk and disorderly, and resisting a police constable.
Magistrates fined him £350 for resisting arrest and £50 for being drunk and disorderly. He was also ordered to pay £100 to the injured officer and £270 in court costs.
Mr Shaun Davies, for Green, said the defendant wanted to apologise to the police and the court service, and was "ashamed and embarrassed" about his actions.
He told the court father-of-three Green thought the police had been "heavy handed".
