Thank you for your interest in this story
To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
07
Feb
Man fined for punching police officer in Markington
A man has been fined after punching a police officer in the face in Markington.
Andrew Kenny, 30, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday (February 6) where he confirmed his name, address and entered a plea.
Kenny, who gave an address on Hawthorne Close in Markington, admitted assaulting a police officer on January 10 this year.
Mel Ibbertson, prosecuting, told the court that police were called to an address in the village at 10.30pm following reports of a domestic incident.
Officers arrived at the property and spoke to Kenny, who was asked to leave the address. The defendant said he would go to a friend’s house for the night, the prosecution said.
Ms Ibbertson told the court that the 30-year-old then returned to the property at 2am and took a vape before falling asleep on the sofa.
Officers were called back to the property and asked Kenny to leave.
Ms Ibbertson said:
The defendant became abusive, telling them [the officers] to f*** off.
The court heard that officers tried to restrain Kenny before the carpet slipped beneath them and a named police officer fell onto the sofa.
Ms Ibbertson said that the defendant pushed the officer as he tried to get up. The defendant then punched the named officer with a “glancing blow”, the court heard.
The officer then tried to punch Kenny in the groin area in an attempt to “prevent him from striking him further”, the prosecution said.
The defendant was later arrested in the property and continued to be abusive when being led to the police van.
Ms Ibbertson said:
He [Kenny] started making noises as though he was going to spit.
Ms Ibbertson added that the named officer said in a statement that he believed Kenny “intentionally struck him”.
Martin Townend, defending, told the court that the defendant had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and has no previous convictions.
He added that Kenny, who had served in the armed forces for five years, was remorseful and regretted his actions.
Mr Townend said:
Coming into court today, he loses his good name and he is remorseful for his actions. He acted below his own high standards, which he regrets.
The defence added that the officer suffered no injuries as a result of the incident and it was out of character for the defendant to act that way.
Mr Townend said Kenny had since moved to Stratford-upon-Avon to be with his mother, who has dementia.
Magistrates fined Kenny £1,491, which included £100 in compensation to the named officer.
0