A DRUNKEN man tried to exert his power and authority by assaulting an inexperienced policewoman who was working on only her second-ever solo shift as an officer, a court heard.

Shaun Davis, of Paradise Street in Barrow, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to assault by beating of an emergency worker.  

Prosecutor Cecilia Pritchard told Preston Crown Court officers were called to an address in Barrow at 5:15 pm on November 17 by the defendant’s eldest daughter who was concerned about her father’s behaviour.

The court heard Davis was heavily intoxicated as he had been drinking at a pub all day when PC Bargh arrived along with another officer to check on the welfare of the defendant.

Ms Pritchard played PC Bargh’s body-worn camera footage in open court which showed the defendant repeatedly and aggressively shouting and swearing at the two officers to leave his home.

The footage then showed Davis grappling with PC Bargh, who eventually took the defendant to the ground.

Ms Pritchard said Davis then grabbed her epaulettes on her uniform and caused her injury in the form of bruising to her shin when he was resisting arrest.

PC Bargh’s victim impact statement was summarised to the court.

She said: “The incident has left me feeling annoyed. I was only carrying out my duty as an officer. I do not think his behaviour was acceptable in any way, shape or form.

“He showed nothing but hostility and verbal abuse without provocation. I had only been working on my own for two days. It has made me more conscious of people’s behaviour.”

The court heard Davis was 45 years old and had 22 previous convictions for 39 offences.

In mitigation, James Hayworth said his client was contrite for his behaviour and said he wanted to receive help from the probation service to address his drinking problem.

He added that Davis was in full-time employment earning around £450 p/w.

Sentencing Davis to a 24-month community order, Recorder Nicola Daley said: “This is a serious case.

“You were challenging and verbally abusive to the officer, which caused her to be quite scared. The officer was very inexperienced, but she dealt with you appropriately.

“You tried to exert your authority over her. Who knows what you might have done if she had not arrived.

“Drinking and smoking cannabis is only going to make matters worse.”

As part of the order, Recorder Daley required the defendant to complete an alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement for 90 days, 30 rehabiliation requirement days and to complete the Thinking Skills Programme.

He was also ordered to pay £1,000 towards court costs at a rate of £100 p/m.