'This gives Weymouth a bad name': Drunken man lashed out at police officers

Roy Rands, aged 54, swore at random people on Wednesday, June 16 before he lashed out at police officers attempting to detain him.

Prosecuting, Siobhan Oxley, told Weymouth Magistrates’ Court: “Police officers were called by a member of the public at St Mary Street in Weymouth.

“The defendant was seen to be extremely drunk and swearing at people. Police approached him and saw his chest puffed out and shouting slurs.

“He said ‘I am going to f***ing hit you’. He walked away and dropped his trousers and swore at people outside the Black Dog pub.”

Ms Oxley added that Rands continued to swear and also threw a can of alcohol towards a member of public.

Rands 'very physical' and hit PCSO 

File photo of police officer

He was approached by police officers and he shouted ‘f*** off’ towards them before he was arrested.

When a police van arrived, Rands became ‘very physical’ and lashed out at officers. One PCSO was hurt, something she described as ‘one was the most frightening’ experiences of her career so far.

Ms Oxley continued: “He kicked out at the van and officers and he was taken to the ground. When taken to custody, he demonstrated further violence.

“He behaved in a violent manner, namely saying, "I'd love to put you through that f***ing wall and stamp on your head, I'd love to stamp on your head.”

Rands, of Commercial Road in Weymouth, pleaded guilty to using threatening abusive words or behaviour, common assault of an emergency worker and violent behaviour in a police station.

'He's very sorry'

Mitigating, Mrs Patricia Shehan, said how Rands acknowledged how ‘utterly unacceptable’ his ‘utterly anti-social behaviour’ was and how it caused distress to many people.

She said: “You have genuine remorse and shock. He realised the PCSO, from what he remembers, was trying to be friendly and calm the situation down.

“He’s sorry for that.”

She added: “He’s got to move forward and he is keenly aware that by now, he is in his mid 50s, he has to take help.”

'It’s the sort of thing that gives Weymouth a bad name'

Outside Weymouth Magistrates Court

Before sentencing, Chair of Magistrates Nigel Deadman, asked Rands what caused this incident.

Rands simply replied “Alcohol”, to which Mr Deadman replied: “That’s all it is - it’s the number one cause.”

Mr Deadman continued to say his drunken actions damage the reputation of Weymouth for locals and tourists.

He added: “You consumed the level of alcohol that left you senseless. You made your way around Weymouth and caused distress to the public and police.

“It’s the sort of thing that gives Weymouth a bad name for people who live here and people who visit the town.”

Referring to his criminal record, Mr Deadman added he was ‘within a whisker’ of being imprisoned for his latest offences, but believed he needed rehabilitation.

He said: “It is still a serious offence. The issue we have is that we look at previous convictions and the sentence we hand out that it is fairly confident that it will turn you around and give you the opportunity to turn your life around.”

Rands was issued an 18-month community order where he must undertake 30 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days. He was also ordered to pay £150 in compensation to the harmed PCSO, £50 in court costs and £95 victim surcharge.