26 January 2024 , 23:09
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A drink-driver wiped blood onto a police officer, verbally abused them, and soiled himself after he was placed in the back of a police van.
According to a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, a police officer asked James Durston, 35, to take the key out of the ignition. The defendant complied and got into the back of a police car but kept his leg out to prevent them from shutting the door.
Police noticed his eyes were glazed, speech was slurred and he smelled of alcohol. The drink-driver also carried out a road-side breath test and was arrested. When officers began to apply handcuffs the defendant became resistant and an attempt was made to apply foot straps to his ankles.
He began to bang his head on the seat in front of him which caused a cut to his head and when officers stopped the van to prevent himself from causing further injury, they discovered he had soiled himself. The defendant was wearing shorts at the time and faeces got onto the clothing of the officers.
He then kicked out at the officers and grabbed hold of one their wrists while digging his nails in. He was transported to the back of a police van and arrested on further charges to which he responded: "F*** you, show me the evidence". He then said: "I am going to find out where you live and rape the f*** out of your families".
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In victim personal statements read to the court, one officer described it as the "worst incident" he'd had to deal with. He added: "I had to restrain someone who had defecated themselves through their own intoxication. It was completely unacceptable for him to act in this manner and I hope he is ashamed of his behaviour."
According to WalesOnline, a second officer said he expected a degree of violent behaviour, but that did not condone or exempt the defendant's behaviour. The drink-driver, who was unrepresented, said alcohol had played a big part in his offending but he is now attending Alcoholics Anonymous and is awaiting a prescription for Antabuse.
The father-of-three and self-employed electrician said he was "embarrassed and ashamed" of his actions and wished to apologise to the officers. Sentencing, Recorder David Elias KC said the consequences of the defendant's behaviour could have been "far worse".
He added: "You smeared blood on or around them and you defecated faeces which ended up getting on them. It must have been quite frightening for them to have those body fluids and secretions on them and all that could have led to."
Durston was sentenced to a 12-month community order. He was also ordered to carry out a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement, 150 hours unpaid work, to pay court costs of £420, and was disqualified from driving for three years.