Policeman got black eye — thug gets community service

From the archive, first published Wednesday 11th Apr 2007.

A CHELMSFORD man escaped a jail sentence after assaulting a police officer in a drunken frenzy.

Andrew Currie, 24, of Peregrine Drive, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and using threatening behaviour.

Chelmsford Magistrates heard on Tuesday that Currie kicked PC Paul Ager in the face, after arguing with doormen and police outside the Cave Club, off Dukes Street, at 1.25am on Friday, August 25 last year.

Currie had finished around ten drinks earlier that evening, before heading to the nightclub with a group of friends.

The doormen refused the group entry because one of them was banned from the club.

Currie argued with the doormen, who flagged down nearby police officers, and he was removed from the premises.

After putting up a struggle and making offensive comments, Currie was put in a police van by the officers.

Seema Popat, prosecuting, said: "His fist was said to be clenched and police were concerned for their safety.

"Mr Currie began to struggle violently - he kicked his legs out and in doing so kicked PC Paul Ager to the head."

The policeman suffered a sore head, bruising to his right eye and headaches after the attack.

Steven Levy, mitigating, said Currie became upset when the group were rejected by the door staff and was in distress after being placed in the van on his back.

He added he had no previous history of violent offences.

Mr Levy said: "Mr Currie is a man of good character and appearing in court has been a way of appreciating the consequences of his actions."

Magistrates said they took his early plea into account, ordered him to serve 160 hours community service over a 12-month period and fined him £250.