Prolific Gateshead thief who kicked police officer jailed

Colin Brown was jailed at Newcastle Crown Court

A prolific thief who kicked a police officer in the face has been jailed for almost six months.

Colin Brown, 38, left the woman with bruising around her eye and on her chest after lashing out while she tried to arrest him for breaking neighbours' windows, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

He admitted multiple offences including assaulting an emergency worker.

The officer said she was left in pain and "distress", adding she had been "on edge" since the attack in July 2023.

The court heard police were called to a street in Gateshead at about 20:30 BST on 2 July after Brown used bricks to smash two windows at his then partner's home, and five more at her neighbour's during a row.

'State of shock'

He fled when police tried to arrest him and had to be sprayed in the face with an incapacitant, the court heard.

As he continued to struggle he flailed out, kicking the officer twice in the chest and once in the face.

In a statement read to the court, the officer said she had started her shift that day in a good mood as it was one of her last before a holiday, adding she had been "expecting to help members of the public in need".

She said she had met Brown before and never had any "misdemeanours with him", but on this occasion he kicked out.

The officer said she was left in "pain and discomfort" and in a "state of shock" by his "disgraceful" actions.

Having to explain what happened to her parents made her feel "very distressed", the officer added.

'Sick of prison'

In mitigation, his barrister Rachel Hedworth said he was "utterly remorseful" and "very sorry" for the attack, adding it was "no excuse" but he was in great pain from the spray which had burned his face.

The court heard he had 64 convictions for 103 offences and had served lengthy prison sentences for burglary and robbery.

Ms Hedworth said he was "absolutely sick of going to prison" and was at a point now where, with the support of his family, he wanted to live a "normal life".

Brown, of Fontwell Drive, also admitted stealing birthday presents from the boot of an unlocked car in Gateshead in May, and a bank card from another car.

He used the card to buy 100 cigarettes worth £80.88 from Tesco and attempted to purchase a further £72 worth of tobacco goods from another shop.

He pleaded guilty to offences including assaulting an emergency worker, two counts of criminal damage, two of theft from a vehicle, two of fraud by false representation, interfering with a motor vehicle, failure to provide a sample for a Class A drugs test and failing to surrender himself to court.

He was jailed for a total of 23 weeks for all the offences.