Morecambe ex-serviceman kicked police officer

Paul Clarkson, unemployed, aged 53, of Chatsworth Road, Morecambe, pleaded guilty to assault.

He was sentenced to a six weeks tagged curfew from 7pm to 7am and ordered to pay his victim £60 compensation plus a £150 court charge with £85 costs by District Judge Pamela Baldwin sitting at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor, Alison Quanbrough, said on June 5 about 1.30am police got a call to go to the Claremont Hotel in Blackpool where Clarkson was causing problems.

One officer handcuffed Clarkson and another picked up his bag.

As the officer was searching the bag, Clarkson kicked him on the back of his leg. Clarkson was then taken to the floor and handcuffed to the rear.

Andrew Nottingham, defending, said his client was to attend a regimental reunion in the resort.

He arrived a day early so he could meet with friends.

Clarkson did not normally drink, but he went out drinking with the friends and had too much.

When he went looking for accommodation he got turned away because he was drunk.

After the police arrived he foolishly kicked out at a constable, but the officer was not injured.