Friday, November 19, 2010

Scottish wheelchair user who attacked 6 police officers jailed for 17 months

From STV in Scotland:

A wheelchair user who attacked a total of six police officers leaving one with a fractured jaw has been jailed for 17 months.

Kevin O'Brien, 26, punched a police woman on the head before biting her and driving into her with his wheelchair in Ayrshire.

The constable was left with a suspected fractured jaw and will be scarred for life.

After assaulting the officer O'Brien turned to her colleague and tried to bite her before hitting her on the legs.

He then dented their police car by driving his electric chair into it outside his home at Castleview Avenue in Galston, Ayrshire.

After being banned from public transport, O'Brien repeatedly defied a restraining order and trashed an office at Kilmarnock bus station before assaulting staff.

At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, O'Brien admitted a total of 20 charges between May and October including six attacks on police officers, one causing permanent disfigurement, assault, breach of the peace and breaking bail conditions.

Kay McFarlane, defending, said O'Brien suffered from alcohol problems and a range of physical and mental difficulties.

He was "remorseful" and wanted to turn his life around, the court heard.