Totton man sentenced after assaulting police officers during public order incident

A Totton man who assaulted a number of police officers after a public order incident in the town centre has been sentenced to two months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

Malachi Bates, aged 18, of Mansergh Walk, Totton appeared at Southampton Magistrates Court today – Tuesday 14 December – having been charged with assaulting three emergency workers and two public order offences.

The court heard how on Friday 19 November, officers were deployed to an address on Mansergh Walk in Totton just before midnight following reports of an altercation involving knifes. Upon police arrival, they located Bates coming out of the estate, but fled after seeing officers.

Officers challenged the man with use of a taser - based on information that he might have an offensive weapon on him - at which point, Bates began to comply with the requests of officers. However, he quickly became uncooperative and resisting arrest.

As officers began to explain the stop and search procedure to Malachi, he kicked out and assaulted two officers, while also spitting in their general direction. He was further restrained but then assaulted a further officer, before becoming verbally and racially aggressive towards another officer.

Bates pleaded guilty to three counts of assaulting an emergency worker on Monday 22 November at Southampton Magistrates Court. He also pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated public order offence and causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress.

The judge jailed Bates for 8 weeks, suspended for 18 months and ordered him to pay £205 for court costs and victim surcharge. He was also issued with a community order.

Ben Domican of Hampshire Constabulary’s Western Investigation team, said: “We take a zero tolerance approach to assaults on our officers, and do not accept that it is simply part of their day job.

“No emergency worker should turn up to work and expect to be assaulted or come to harm in carrying out their duties. As a force we will continue to work with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice.

“If you or anyone you know has been a victim of a hate crime, we would always urge that this is reported to police, either by calling 101 or online via the True Vision website at www.report-it.org.uk. Always call 999 in an emergency.”