A Birmingham man has been ordered to pay £100 compensation after spitting at a police officer during a search in Castle Vale. John Freeman, 38, of Pershore Road, Stirchley, was searched by officers on April 14 after police received reports of a 'person with a knife behaving strangely.'
The court heard Freeman was heavily intoxicated and had been drinking with a friend before the incident. Police found him sitting in an alleyway but discovered he was not carrying a knife. Freeman, who had a bloodied nose at the time, initially pleaded not guilty to assaulting a constable but later changed his plea after seeking legal advice. His solicitor Phillip Haycock said: 'He has asked me to apologise for his behaviour.'
Background and Court Proceedings
The court heard Freeman suffers from PTSD and 'doesn't like being manhandled by authorities.' Body-worn camera footage captured the incident, showing Freeman telling officers: 'I haven't got no knife on me, I have not done anything wrong.' Magistrates told Freeman he was 'in the wrong place at the wrong time' and had 'reacted in the wrong way to officers' due to being drunk. The chair said: 'Spitting at anyone is particularly appalling.'
Outcome and Compensation
Birmingham Magistrates' Court issued the compensation order to the police constable involved in the incident. Freeman was also ordered to pay additional costs, bringing the total financial penalty to £200. The incident highlights the serious consequences of assaulting emergency workers, even when under the influence of alcohol.
