Jail For Man Who Attacked And Racially Abused Officers

A man who kicked, punched and racially abused police officers after they arrested him has been jailed for a year.

Police were called to a disturbance at a property in Soham on 25 August. When they arrived, they spoke to witnesses and discovered Paul Meads, 54, in the doorway holding a knife.

Officers arrested Meads and put him in the back of the police van. On the way to custody, Meads became unresponsive, so officers pulled over, placed him in the recovery position and called an ambulance.

While waiting for the ambulance, Meads became aggressive and began kicking and spitting at officers and struck one of them over the head. Officers managed to restrain him and took him to Addenbrooke’s Hospital themselves.

While at the hospital, Meads began hurling racist abuse at one of the officers, referring to the colour of his skin.

Meads, of no fixed abode, answered no comment during interview but later pleaded guilty to three counts of assault of an emergency worker and racially aggravated intentional harassment. He was sentenced to one year in prison at Cambridge Crown Court.

DC Matt Smith, who investigated, said: “Officers should not have to tolerate physical and verbal abuse when carrying out their job.

“Meads showed himself to be an aggressive and violent man and I am pleased justice has been done today.”