A Selby area man was jailed for four months after he admitted assaulting two police officers and criminal damage.

The town's magistrates told Simon Ankers, 24, of Acorn Close, Barlby, that they were determined to protect police officers who were going about their normal duties.

Bench chairman Maurice Patrick said: "We want to make it clear that any attacks on officers will carry a custodial sentence."

Sandra Keen, mitigating, had earlier suggested that in the "good, old-fashioned days", assaults on police which resulted in minor injuries would never have got to court.

They would have been regarded as part of the "rough and tumble of arrest."

But Mr Patrick said they were serious matters which could only be dealt with by imprisonment.

The court heard the offences were committed only six days after Ankers had been put on probation by a Crown Court.

Angela Smith, prosecuting, said Ankers and a friend had been on a heavy drinking session with two girls in Barlby.

The drinking continued at one of the girls' houses in Riccall, where the defendant started to argue with one of the girls.

He kicked and punched the front door, which was so badly damaged it had to be replaced.

Police were called and found Ankers and his friend in a garden in Northfields, Barlby. PC Russ Buckroyd was trying to subdue the defendant when he felt a blow to the side of his face, making him reel backwards.

At Selby police station, Ankers was being escorted in handcuffs to the cells when he kicked PC Paul Caygill on the upper arm.

He was wrestled to the floor where he continued to struggle until PC Caygill withdrew his baton and pressed it against his ankle.

Mrs Keen said her client had apologised to the officers, who did not require any medical treatment and were able to continue their shift.

She said Ankers tended to over-react when he saw a police officer, especially when he had had a drink. He had requested assistance from the alcohol awareness group.

Ankers was also ordered to pay £705 for a new door, and £50 in compensation to both PC Buckroyd and PC Caygill.

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