Man subdued with CS gas spray

3:07pm Thursday 28th August 2008

POLICE confiscated a flick knife and a cosh when they were called to an early morning disturbance on a Kidderminster estate, Worcester Crown Court was told.

They first arrested Ian Bullingham, said prosecutor Jason Aris, but released him when his cousin, John Wilde, owned up as the owner of the two weapons.

Wilde, who was drunk, struggled when he was arrested and had to be subdued by a spray of CS gas in the face. He retaliated by spitting at a policeman.

Wilde, 26, of Woodbury Road, Foley Park, pleaded guilty to having offensive weapons in a public place, drunk and disorderly behaviour and assaulting a policeman by spitting in his face.

He was given a 16-week community order and ordered to attend a general offfending behaviour programme supervised by the probation service. He was fined £100 with a £15 victim surcharge for the drink charge.

It was 12.50am on May 5 when police were called to a fracas involving 25 to 30 people in Jubilee Drive, Foley Park, said Mr Aris. Wilde admitted that the weapons were his after his cousin was arrested. He spat at police because he was asthmatic and the CS gas made it difficult to breathe.

Tom Challinor, defending, said there was a background of provocation and Wilde felt that he was going to be threatened by armed men. Normally, he was a hard-working family man who had reduced his alcohol and drug use.

Judge John Cavell said it was a major disturbance which had been the cause of public concern. The fact that there was a family feud did not mean that people could fight it out in the street, putting police at risk.