A Swindon man who assaulted a police officer, throwing her to the ground and using homophobic slurs, has avoided jail time.

Kalum Goodall, of Albany Close in Walcot, appeared in Swindon Magistrate's Court on Thursday, November 14, charged with the assault of an emergency worker and using threatening or abusive words to cause distress.

The court heard how on February 6, 2024, the 28-year-old was being arrested by PC Neale for an unrelated matter when he began "thrashing around" and assaulted the officer, throwing her across the road and onto the ground while calling her a homophobic slur.

According to prosecutor Mr Power, the incident took place just outside a multi-storey car park in Swindon.

"PC Neale was in complete shock at what had happened and said she doesn't come to work to experience physical pain or assault," said Mr Power.

"She felt disrespected and degraded.

"She had never had anyone use such a high level of force on her in that manner."

Goodall is not an unfamiliar face in court, having faced 30 previous convictions for 50 offences which cover a variety of crimes.

He was most recently in court in February 2024, although his last recorded assault was in 2019.

A mugshot of Kalum Goodall taken in 2019A mugshot of Kalum Goodall taken in 2014 (Image: Wiltshire Police) But defence lawyer Emma Hillier pointed out: "Mr Goodall didn’t mean to be homophobic and he just meant that the officer was in his words 'being a bit soft.'

"He had not thought through the homophobic connotations of the slur.

"He was thrashing around and trying to get away from arrest. What he wanted to do really was just have a cigarette.

She added: “He is a carer for his father who has liver failure and he does not normally drink excessively.

"That day, he argued with his partner and so had gone out drinking. He has not been out drinking since the day of the offence."

In March 2024, he had been assessed as a 'high risk of harm' by the probation service, however, this has now been reduced to a medium risk due to his positive work with probation.

Noting the steps he has taken towards rehabilitation, Chair of the Magistrate's Bench Natalie O'Connell sentenced Goodall to a nine-month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity days.

He must also pay a £160 fine, £100 in compensation, a £64 surcharge and £85 in court costs, leaving him with a total bill of £409.

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