Lee Egege, a 40-year-old man from Slade Road, Stockland Green, appeared via video link from custody at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 2 September, for sentencing after pleading guilty to assaulting an emergency worker. The victim was PCSO Dewitt of British Transport Police, who was on patrol at West Bromwich Bus Station on Tuesday, 11 August.
During the incident, Egege, who was reported to be under the influence of drugs, verbally abused the PCSO, calling them a ‘fat b**tard’, before spitting at them and fleeing the scene. He was subsequently chased and apprehended by PC Edwards.
Egege has a substantial criminal history, with 47 previous convictions covering 96 offences, including past assaults on emergency workers. The Crown Prosecutor highlighted the seriousness of the offence due to the victim being an emergency worker and Egege’s prior record.
READ MORE: Former Birmingham Social Worker Sentenced for Assault and Weapon Offences
READ MORE: Andy Burnham Addresses Welfare and Defence Spending in First PMQs
However, his legal representative argued against immediate custodial sentencing, emphasising that Egege has spent a significant portion of his adult life in custody and had recently ceased using drugs. She described him as a changed individual who has shown remorse, cooperated with the pre-sentence report, and expressed a desire to turn his life around and comply with probation requirements.
The defence counsel remarked, “He takes responsibility for his actions and acknowledges the impact on the officer involved. He agrees that compensation is appropriate. While the easier option might be to keep him in custody, a suspended sentence with strict conditions could support his rehabilitation.”
After considering the case, the lead magistrate noted the sentencing guidelines and the aggravating factors, including the offence against an emergency worker. They sentenced Egege to 16 weeks in custody, reduced to 12 weeks because of his early guilty plea. The sentence was suspended for two years, imposing 30 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR). In addition, Egege was fined £254, with a £100 victim surcharge and £100 costs, totalling £454, which will be collected via a collection order.
The magistrates indicated that failure to comply with the suspended sentence conditions would result in immediate imprisonment. A curfew at his mother’s residence was also made available as part of the probation conditions.