Pub crowd were in hostile mood

A crowd of about 25 people were watching two women fighting outside Viva La Mama restaurant, in Elmton Road, at 2am on 24th September.

“A female was on the ground and another female was punching her in the face. The group were shouting and seemed to be encouraging the fight,” prosecutor Helen Griffiths told Chesterfield magistrates.

“Leslie Phillips approached police as they were breaking up the fight and trying to calm the situation.”

Phillips, 43, became abusive, swearing and said: “I’ll do your job for you, shall I? - always 20 minutes too late.”

An officer told him to get back and pushed his chest and he threatened: “Touch me again and see what happens.”

Mrs Griffiths said Phillips was drunk. Another police unit was called in and he left the area but he was arrested by officers making their way to the scene.

She told the court that the officer confronted by Phillips feared for his safety as the crowd seemed to be ‘in an extremely hostile mood towards the police’.

Phillips, of Church Street, Creswell, admitted using threatening or insulting words or behaviour and was fined £245, with £85 costs.

He had previous convictions for assault, possessing a blade in public and drink-driving.

John Wilford, defending, said: “He wasn’t part of the group. He thought police hadn’t acted quickly enough to deal with the incident in which two females were fighting on the ground.”

“He was in conversation with police and he disputes some of the language alleged or making any threat.”

“But he accepts he was swearing and didn’t really help the situation. He was going away from the scene when he was arrested.”