A THUG who bit a police officer and threatened to smash up a hospital has been jailed.
At Coventry Magistrates Court, Jordan Staple, 30, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay a victims’ surcharge of £154 for being drunk and disorderly in a public place and assaulting a police officer.
In the early hours of Saturday September 23, Staple was arrested at a bar in Sheep Street, Rugby after appearing drunk and disorderly, and trying to fight the security guards.
When police arrived, Staple repeatedly told the officers his intentions towards the bouncer – that he was going to ‘bang him out’.
When the officers suggested Staple go home and sleep it off, he refused and was arrested for drunk and disorderly behaviour.
On his way to custody, Staple banged his head on the cage in the police van and had to be diverted to hospital for treatment.
On arrival at the hospital, Staple shouted at one officer: “I am going to smash her face in”, and “don’t touch my wrist, because I’ll bite your finger”. He also threatened to smash up the hospital.
The officers decided to sedate Staple so hospital staff could treat his head wounds – but he bit the finger of the constable who attempted to restrain him.
Staple later argued in interview that this was a reasonable response, and that he had only had one pint.
Ch Cons Debbie Tedds said: “All too often, police officers and staff are subjected to threats and violence. On average in Warwickshire there are 20 assaults against police officers and staff per month.
“In this incident, Staple threatened members of the public as well as officers, and threatened to destroy furnishings within a public hospital.
“He was offered the opportunity to go home, but chose instead to continue threatening and causing harm to others.
“It is a shame that our officers have to put up with this level of abuse, but the outcome would have been worse had they not stepped in.
“I am happy with this final result and proud of the officers who made it possible.”
