Drink driver fought with cops in Mansfield

A Mansfield man fought with police officers when they tried to arrest him for drink driving, a court has heard.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.Mansfield Magistrates Court.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.

Ashley James Beard, 22, of Colston Road, admitted driving with excess alcohol, without a licence or insurance, and resisting two police officers.

Police were called to Colston Road, at 12.20am on June 26, following a reported disturbance, where they discovered Beard reversing a silver Ford Mondeo.

Chloe Griggs, prosecuting, said Beard told police he had argued with his girlfriend and he wanted to go looking for her.

“He was acting erratically and said he wouldn’t get into the police car to provide a sample,” she said. “He said ‘F*** this, I’m going.’”

A struggle ensued and the officer, one male and one female, ended up on the floor with Beard.

“He was head butting the floor and shouting ‘Get off.’” said Miss Griggs.

The court heard that Beard trapped one of the male officer’s legs between his. The female officer was accidentally elbowed in the face by her colleague.

Miss Griggs said: “The police officer had no choice but to punch him in the face because he was struggling to break free.”

A breath test revealed he had 62 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Rebecca Williams, mitigating, said: “Mr Beard’s partner had been out. He went to collect her. There had been an argument. He consumed some alcohol.

“His partner left the house and he got into his car to look for her.”

She said Beard believed he was insured, but the certificate was not valid until 24 hours later.

Beard was banned from driving for 18 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay court costs of £85 and £50 compensation to each officer.

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