A 39-year-old grandfather has been sentenced after a drunken dispute over a cigarette escalated into a violent incident where he assaulted two women and headbutted a police sergeant.
Violent Altercation at Leek Pub
The incident occurred at The Britannia Inn in Leek, Stoke-on-Trent, on June 13 last year. Jamie Dunn-Fox, who was intoxicated, became involved in a verbal altercation in the smoking area which quickly turned physical.
Prosecutor Jo Fox told North Staffordshire Justice Centre that Dunn-Fox struck a man before two women attempted to intervene and break up the fight. The defendant grabbed one woman's arm and pushed her, causing bruising. When the landlady tried to remove him from the premises, he forcefully grabbed her by the neck, although this did not cause a physical injury.
Aggression Towards Police Officers
When police officers attended the scene, Dunn-Fox's behaviour turned increasingly aggressive. He kicked out at the officers and attempted to bite one as they tried to arrest him.
The violence continued in custody. While being taken to the booking desk, Dunn-Fox headbutted a police sergeant in the face, causing immediate pain, a cut, and bleeding to the bridge of the officer's nose.
Court Sentencing and Previous Record
Dunn-Fox, of Strangman Street, Leek, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault by beating, assault by beating of an emergency worker, and resisting a police officer in the execution of his duty. The court heard he has 20 previous convictions for 35 offences.
In mitigation, Janice Sain-Reiners said her client was "sorry and remorseful", claiming the women were accidentally caught in the melee as they tried to pull men apart. She stated Dunn-Fox, a family man with three daughters and a grandchild, had "seen a bit of red mist" and was not normally aggressive when drinking.
Magistrates sentenced Dunn-Fox to a 12-month community order with a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £150 compensation to the police officer and £75 to each of the women, plus £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.
