A man who has assaulted an emergency worker on two separate occasions says he is “disappointed with himself” to be back in court.

Jordan Cooke, 23, of Lorne Street pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker by beating him at Swindon Magistrates Court on November 6.

Mr Ballinger, prosecuting, told the court that officers responded to reports of a male drunkenly shouting and swearing on Maxwell Street at around 2am on October 20.

When they arrived at the scene, they found a “visibly intoxicated” Cooke led in a front garden without his shirt on with a female who said she was his girlfriend trying to calm him down, who was also drunk.

Cooke was distressed, saying he “wanted to die”, and tried to run from officers, but they ran after him and tried to detain him for being drunk and disorderly.

Flash Sale!🌟

Get closer to Swindon's stories with The Swindon Advertiser

Unlimited local news, an ad-free app, and a digital replica of our print edition—all with 80% fewer ads.

Subscribe now for a seamless news experience - https://t.co/ayrpkI4RBy#StayInformed pic.twitter.com/0RPJk3hDqF

He continued to resist arrest and officers were forced to use PAVA spray as he was carried to the back of the police van to be transported to Gablecross.

As they lifted him into the van, he kicked out with both feet, kicking an officer to the knee and causing him to buckle, which aggravated an existing back injury he had sustained from an assault the previous week.

The officer, who had no bruising or visible injuries to the knee, also reported some of the PAVA getting into his eyes while he was trying to detain Cooke.

(Image: Newsquest)

Ms Hillier, defending, explained that Cooke had refused to speak to police during his interview because he could not remember the incident and therefore could not offer a defence, but was remorseful for his actions and had not consumed alcohol since.

Cooke, who has one previous conviction for assaulting an emergency worker in August 2023, said alcohol is a “catalyst” and things “tend to spiral” after drinking.

Ms Hillier said he was “disappointed” and “frustrated” with himself to be back before the courts and accepts it is not the right way to deal with his mental health problems.

The Magistrate told him: “This is the second offence of this kind that you’ve been charged with and we’re assured there’s useful work that can be done to try and prevent further offending.”

He was given a 12-month community order, must complete 40 hours of unpaid work and pay £100 compensation to the police officer, as well as a surcharge of £114 and prosecution costs of £85.

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber, you will get:            

  • Unlimited access to the Swindon Advertiser website        
  • Advert-light access             
  • Reader rewards             
  • Full access to our app