Waterlooville man hurled slurs at police officers who found drugs in his bedroom - then tried to grab a taser
Lewis Jennings made derogatory comments towards police officers after they found drugs in his bedroom.
A man who hurled racial slurs at an officer - and tried to grab a taser off another - has been spared jail.
Lewis Jennings, 22, became aggressive towards police officers when they came to his address in Robin Gardens, Waterlooville on May 22 last year. Officers were responding to a missing persons report concerning his brother, and while searching the home found cannabis in Jennings' bedroom, the court heard.
Prosecuting at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court this morning (May 5), Graham Heath said: "The officer is stood on the landing when the defendant calls him a 's******' and threatens to push him down the stairs.
"By virtue of his behaviour, further officers attended and the defendant's behaviour was somewhat maintained. He referred to one as a 'C***** c***' and one officer described the defendant as attempting to grab hold of his taser. He punched out at the defendant, who then threw a punch to the officer's face.
"The officers tried to be reasonable with the defendant throughout, despite the racial slur."
Jennings pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing or resisting a constable, two counts of assaulting a constable, one count of assaulting an emergency worker, one count for possession of a Class B drug, namely cannabis, two counts of assault by beating and one addtional count of criminal damage.
In mitigation, the court was told how Jennings has autism and ADHD, and was 'overwhelmed' by the number of officers who came to the home. The defendant was also described as a 'caring' man, who looks after his father and supports him around the house.
Magistrates also heard how Jennings’ father urged the additional officers who arrived not to surround his son, because he knew he would react negatively to it.
Sentencing, lead magistrate JP Audus said: "There's a lot to go through. In this instance we feel it does not pass the custody threshold. But we do need to uplift this because of the racial element to the offences.
"You have pleases guilty at the earliest opportunity - that gives you a discount on your sentence."
Jennings was sentenced to an 18-month community order, including 30 rehabilitation days. He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation, £170 in costs and a £114 surcharge.