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Pc helping pensioner was kneed in groin

A pensioner who thrust his knee into the groin of a police officer while he was drunk has been fined.

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Andrew Gillett, aged 66, had initially called police for advice after an argument broke out with his partner on New Year's Eve.

But when officers arrived at his home two and a half hours later he had drunk two bottles of wine and some Prosecco, a court heard.

They said Gillett was found to be in an intoxicated state at his address in Purcell Road, Wolverhampton.

One of the officers who responded to Gillett's call asked him to stand up – but added he struggled to do so because of his drunken state.

Gillett then complained of chest pain and asked to be allowed to go to the toilet.

Asked to stay where he was, he swore at the officer before kneeing him in the groin, the court was told.

Prosecuting, Miss Val Hart said Gillett was handcuffed and swore at the officer again before then kicking the officer in the groin.

The Pc suffered no visible injury but complained of being winded.

The police officers that attended the address then made inquiries for Gillett to stay at another address but that couldn't be sorted.

The court heard Gillett had struggled with alcohol in the past but is now getting help. He also recently suffered a heart attack.

When his case was heard on Friday, it was said he had not drunk alcohol since the incident on New Year's Eve.

Interviewed after the incident, Gillett said he could not remember what had happened during the evening.

He told officers that he felt it was behaviour he was incapable of.

For Gillett, Mr Rob Govier said the episode had been 'unpleasant' and behaviour 'that you would expect from a stroppy teenager'.

But he added Gillett had given a 'lifetime of public service,' working as a carer and for the Samaritans.

Gillett pleaded guilty at a hearing at Walsall Magistrates' Court to one count of assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty.

It was the first time Gillett had appeared in court. He was fined £60 and must pay the Pc £100 compensation, prosecution costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £30. The £325 must be paid within 14 days.

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