A POLICE officer was told he would ‘have his beard ripped off’ and was subjected to a string of racist remarks at the city’s hospital.
Glen Hodgkins also told PC Mohammed Waliat he would be ‘knocked out’ and made reference to Osama Bin Laden when he was under arrest at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Christmas Eve.
Last Friday (January 23) Worcester Magistrates’ Court heard how officers had been called to an assault in Malvern about 2am and they had to use CS Spray on Hodgkins because he was resisting police arrest.
This also resulted in the 26-year-old, of Blackmore Caravan Park in Malvern, ripping the fleece jacket of PC David Freeman.
Hodgkins was taken back to Worcester Police Station but when PC Waliat was asked to attend the custody suite an ambulance had already arrived to take the defendant to hospital.
When they arrived at the hospital Hodkins asked to have his handcuffs removed but when this was refused he became verbally and racially abusive, the court was told.
He then said he wanted food but this was again denied so the defendant continued his aggressive and racist language.
Defending solicitor David Ollivere said: “He is utterly disgusted by his behaviour on this occasion.
“He himself, from the travelling community, suffers from discrimination so he is aware of the pain that can be caused and shows genuine remorse for what he did.”
Hodgkins was ordered to complete 133 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order and told to pay £30 compensation for PC Freeman’s ripped jacket.
District Judge Nigel Cadbury said: “I am glad to hear you are disgusted by your own behaviour, particularly when it has been said you receive discrimination.
“The fact this went on in a hospital, where people are ill and need assistance, and to hear all this go on must be very annoying for them as well as the victim in this case.”
Hodgkins was also ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a £60 victim surcharge.
