Homeless man who assaulted cop in Hucknall had teeth knocked out

A homeless man who attacked a police officer in Hucknall was sprayed with CS and had his front teeth knocked out, a court has heard.
Nottingham Magistrates' CourtNottingham Magistrates' Court
Nottingham Magistrates' Court

Jermaine Bush, 27, of no fixed abode, admitted assaulting an officer and possessing cannabis after he was stopped for speeding on Watnall Road at 2.20am on March 5.

Sanjay Jerath, prosecuting, told magistrates in Nottingham that Bush got out of his mother’s car and aggressively asked PC Pritchard: “What the f*** are you stopping me for?”

“He had clenched fists and was making erratic movements with his arms. He thrust his mobile phone into the officer’s face,” said Mr Jerath. “He smelled of alcohol and was pacing around.”

Bush was warned to calm down or he would be arrested, but told the officer: “Touch me and see what happens.”

“”When PC Pritchard took hold of his arm he pulled away. PC Pritchard withdrew his CS spray.

“Bush punched the officer twice in the face, then turned and ran away, but lost his footing and fell.”

PC Pritchard gave chase, shouting at Bush to stop, but Bush shouted back: “F*** off, you’re not arresting me!”

“He had to be sprayed with CS gas to incapacitate him,” said Mr Jerath.

At the police station, officer found a small amount of cannabis on Bush.

The court heard he had been unconditionally discharged for cannabis possession in 2015 and cautioned for ABH in 2012.

“What aggravates this situation is the defendant’s response to the police officer,” said Mr Jerath.

“His response was extremely aggressive to the extent that the officer had to use CS spray.”

In a statement, PC Pritchard said: “I felt extremely threatened and feared he would use violence against me and my colleagues.

“No one has permission to assault me while I attempt to make a lawful arrest.”

The court heard the officer received bruising to his chin and suffered pain and discomfort to his nose and left eye.

Stephen Burdon, mitigating, said: “It is clear that this escalated from something that was nothing more than a routine stop to both of them suffering injuries.

“The officer confirms that in and around this incident he deployed his CS spray twice.”

The court heard that Bush had three front teeth knocked out during the struggle.

Mr Burdon said he suffers from depression and had undergone ‘significant’ dental treatment which had affected his self-esteem.

“He is currently homeless,” said Mr Burdon. “He sees his mother and does errands for her. He was driving his mother’s car and he is a carer for her.”

Magistrates adjourned the cause until May 31 for reports before sentencing.

Related topics: