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28
Mar
Ex-copper admits assaulting police officer in Harrogate during ‘diabetic episode’
A former Metropolitan Police officer yesterday admitted to assaulting an emergency worker (March 27).
Christopher Taylor pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker at Harrogate Magistrates Court.
He initially denied the offence but changed his plea in court.
Kaye Barnard, prosecuting, told the court the ambulance service requested police assistance on March 7.
Taylor, of Long Lane in Brompton, near Northallerton, was in the ambulance and had been taken to Harrogate District Hospital.
The court heard Taylor was “verbally abusive” towards an officer at the hospital.
When he was taken to the police van, Taylor “lunged his head” towards another officer in an attempt to headbutt her.
He also kicked his legs at her, Ms Barnard said, but the officer did not sustain any injuries.
Taylor is of previous good character and had never been before the courts, the prosecution added.
Defendant has been ‘stabbed and shot at’
Peter Minnikin, defending, told the court Taylor served in both the Metropolitan Police and Cleveland Police for a total of 21 years.
Mr Minnikin said the 58-year-old defendant, who is now retired, was stabbed and shot during his time in the police.
The court heard Taylor suffers with anxiety due to his police experiences.
In addition, he lost his father during covid and his sister had also died in recent years.
Mr Minnikin said Taylor, a diabetic, was suffering a “diabetic episode” at the time of the offence triggered by low blood sugar levels.
Symptoms can include being confused, irritable and anxious. Sufferers can also experience heart palpitations, sweat and blurred vision.
The court heard Taylor has “little to no recollection” of the incident, but is “deeply sorry for his actions”. He later wrote a letter of apology to the officer.
Taylor’s wife of many years said she had never seen him behave the way he did during the incident, Mr Minnikin said.
He added:
Mr Taylor spent 21 blameless years serving in the police. He expresses his deep remorse to everyone involved.
He takes this matter very seriously.
Sentence
The magistrates told Taylor there was a “long list of mitigation” in his case.
The mitigating factors included his previous good character, his “exemplary service to the community”, his anxiety and the diabetic episode he endured, the chair of the bench said.
They handed Taylor a 10-month conditional discharge.
He was also ordered to pay £111 the court, which comprised £85 in prosecution costs and a £26 surcharge.
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