A COMPANY director who became intoxicated at Cheltenham Races got more than he bargained for when he was stopped by police after driving erratically.

Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court heard that Edmund Haddock, 66 – who was living in Dean’s Place, Yatton, near Ross-on-Wye at the time – assaulted two police officers during a melee, broke bones in his ankle and failed to provide a specimen for analysis.

The court sentenced him to a suspended 18-week prison term after hearing that he had previous similar convictions.

Prosecutor Graham Dono said that at 8.10pm on November 17 last year, Haddock was spotted by police meandering over the lanes in Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, and when police stopped him, the officers smelt alcohol on his breath and attempted to breathalyse him, but all attempts failed.

“It was while Haddock was being manoeuvred into a police van, Haddock deliberately headbutted PC Moreley-Blackwell,” the prosecutor said.

“Once in the van, Haddock deliberately hit his head on his surroundings, causing blood to come into his mouth.

“Haddock then made movements to spit on PC Gorton, but the officer turned away, however the spittle still landed on his neck and cheek. At the custody suite Haddock again refused to provide a specimen.”

In a victim statement, PC Gorton said that in all his 22 years of service, it was the first time he had blood spat at him and that the incident had a psychological effect on him.

In mitigation, Blaise Shervington said that his client’s life had unravelled in a dramatic fashion since the incident and he had now moved to Lansdown Road in Cheltenham.

“He suffered broken bones in his ankle, he has had to sell his business at below market price, and it also escalated the end of his marriage,” he said.

“Added to this, he is likely to be disqualified from driving for a significant period. However, he is very remorseful and has since written to apologise to both police officers.

“He is a very scared man who also has some unresolved issues in his personal life.”

Presiding Justice Suzanne Alexander told Haddock: “This was a prolonged incident which began with you resisting arrest. You were also unco-operative at the police station,

“You head-butted one police office and spat at another officer. These offences reflect your previous history. You’ve been convicted of two similar drink driving convictions in the past ten years and assaulting a police officer, for which you received a prison sentence of four months.

“However, it is of note that you’ve undertaken counselling and taken other positive rehabilitation steps. We are pleased that you’ve shown a level of remorse, which involves writing letters of apology to both police officers.

“Because of this we are prepared to suspend the prison term of 18 weeks for two years.”

Haddock was banned from driving for four years, and also ordered to undertake 10 probation days, carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and pay compensation of £800 to PC Gorton and £200 to PC Moreley-Blackwell, prosecution costs of £300 and a £154 mandatory surcharge.