A man made offensive and inappropriate remarks towards a female police officer before assaulting two of her colleagues in an incident in Tipton.
Kane Butler, from Hydes Road, West Bromwich, behaved in a ‘flirty and inappropriate’ manner towards the female officer when police were called to deal with a man suspected of damaging cars, Dudley Magistrates' Court heard.
Prosecutor John Hopkins explained that during the interaction, Butler began complimenting the female officer’s appearance and went as far as to say he “would f*** her,” comments which the officer found degrading.
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After his arrest, Butler was placed in the rear of a police vehicle, where he spat at two male officers. One officer had saliva land on his forearm, while the other was spat in the face, with some of it entering his mouth. Butler also spat inside the police car and later in a transfer van.
During police interviews, Butler expressed remorse and apologised for both the inappropriate comments and the assaults.
On 24 September, Butler, aged 33, pleaded guilty to charges including using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour with harassment on the basis of sex, two counts of criminal damage, and two counts of assault by beating against emergency workers.
Magistrate Berinder Singh Bassral described the case as “appalling” and sentenced Butler to a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to pay £400 in compensation, to be divided among the three affected officers.
The magistrate admonished Butler, stating, “This was a vicious attack. Really unacceptable behaviour. I can assure you that if you return here, you will face harsher treatment.”