AN ELLESMERE man drank half a bottle of whisky and became an "emotional rollercoaster" before elbowing a police officer in the face.

Ashley Sumner, 31 and from Berwyn View, appeared in Telford Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 27, charged with assaulting an emergency worker.

The incident occurred on May 11 after police were called to a property in Shrewsbury.

The court heard how two officers had attempted to remove Sumner from the property, at which point he tried to headbutt the officers twice.

The officers were able to get Sumner down the stairs and onto the sofa at which point he became an 'emotional rollercoaster', going from crying to anger in a short space of time.

The officers took Sumner to Shrewsbury Police Station in a police van, but elected to detour to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital as he had injured himself – and during the trip Sumner made threats against the officers' families.

Sumner attempted to push past the officers while being removed from the van, and they had to wrestle him back under control.

During the struggle, Sumner raised both arms above his head, bringing them down on PC Owen Benyon-Brown, catching the officer to the cheek with his elbow.

He was then returned to the van and brought him to the police station without medical attention.

Sumner pleaded guilty to the offence.

Defending, Paul Hanratty, said Sumner was 'very sorry' for the incident, and that he was seeking assistance for alcoholism.

"His memory of the incident is poor as he had consumed a bottle of whisky," said Mr Hanratty.

"He is very sorry for his vile behaviour and after the incident wrote sent a letter to the police station apologising.

"He has also sought assistance for his alcoholism."

Chairman of the bench, Christine Holmes, said she appreciated the efforts Sumner had gone to to make amends for the incident, but could not ignore that it was on an emergency worker.

She said: "The level of communication has been good and for at least five years you have been out of trouble.

"We also accept that you sent an apology letter to the police station.

"We have to uplift what we would give because of the assault on an emergency worker – we can give you a fine, but we have to increase it."

Sumner was fined £475, as well as £100 to the officer.