A MAN who grabbed a police officer by the genitals and spat at him during Covid times has been jailed.

Stuart Dillon, 42, from Poole was convicted of assaulting an emergency worker while they were at his mother’s address on November 9, 2020.

In doing so, Dillon breached a six-week suspended sentence imposed for assault by beating.

Bournemouth Echo: Stuart Dillon was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court

He appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on Friday, November 5.

Prosecuting, Laura Deuxberry told the court police were conducting missing person enquiries at the defendant’s mother’s house who had let them in.

She said: “When they were looking at the property the defendant returned home, he was holding a bottle of Jack Daniels.

“He was immediately aggressive with the police officers. Police tried to de-escalate the situation, suggesting he went inside.

“The defendant spat towards the officers and grabbed PC Blagdon’s groin area. He used spray on the defendant, he was brought to the ground and he spat at him, the spit landing on his trousers.”

Bournemouth Echo: Bournemouth crown court

A statement from former chief constable, James Vaughan, read by Ms Deuxberry, said: “Assaults on police officers are serious and unacceptable.

“It should be remembered, the officers are people, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, they are actual victims just like other people.”

Mitigating, Charles Gabb, said the defendant hadn’t offended since the incident in November last year.

He said the defendant had turned his life around after being dealt a “bad hand” and having a “troubled upbringing” and called for a deferred sentence so Dillon could show he could comply with requirements.

However, Recorder Charles Morrison sentenced Dillon to ten weeks for the assault, as well as the initial six week sentence he had breached, making 16 weeks in total.

Recorder Morrison said: “You were loud and aggressive and shouting obscenities at the officers.

“You were holding a bottle of Jack Daniels, brandishing it, you were waving it around.

“They tried to allow you to go inside, however you then moved towards the officers, holding a bottle of Jack Daniels by the neck in a threatening manner.

“You grabbed the officer’s penis and testicles and also you spat at him. Only a custodial sentence can be justified.

“The least possible sentence I can impose is ten weeks. That will be served consecutively to the active suspended sentence.”