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Jail for Tipton thug who broke officer's cheekbone during arrest

A thug who punched two police officers and spat at another while being arrested was starting a 31-month prison sentence today.

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Craig Malcolm turned nasty after his former partner refused to let him into her home when he turned up drunk on the doorstep, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The furious 32-year-old, who had a previous conviction for assaulting the woman, smashed a window at the property in Clifford Road, West Bromwich.

He turned his anger on two police officers as they tried to detain him after being called to what was described as a domestic incident, explained Mr Ian Ball, prosecuting.

Malcolm attacked Pc Darren Bradley, breaking his cheekbone and injured him so badly he was not fit enough to return to duty for four months, the court heard.

The unmarried father of three also punched Pc Ian Mountford in the face when he went to the aid of his colleague as reinforcements rushed to the scene on October 30, 2016.

The officer escaped with bad bruising but could not return to work for three months.

Regret

The defendant was handcuffed and put in the back of a police car but spat at Pc Wes Burrows while being driven to the custody suite at Oldbury.

Mr Guy Williamson, defending, said: "He wishes he had dealt with the situation differently. It arose spontaneously in an emotive situation. He accepts the consequences of his actions."

Malcolm, of Shakespeare Road, Tipton, told the court: "I have quit drinking, changed my lifestyle and kept myself out of trouble since this incident.

"I truly regret that day because I realise it affected a lot of lives."

He was convicted of wounding, assault and criminal damage after a trial and had been remanded in custody for reports.

Malcolm was jailed by Recorder Edward Boydell, who told him: "You caused a really serious injury to one officer as they tried to detain you.

"Another was punched in the face by you and, after being restrained by handcuffs, you spat at a third officer.

"Those who strike police officers in the course of their duty can expect the courts to deal with them very seriously."

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