Paul Padget sentenced in King’s Lynn court after assaulting police in Downham Market

A man who kicked and spat at a police officer while referring to others as “nonces” has been handed a community order.

Paul Padget, 56, of Lawrence Road in North Lynn, appeared at the town’s magistrates’ court on Thursday to be sentenced after assaulting an emergency worker by beating on November 24.

He had pleaded guilty to the offence during a court appearance last week, during which magistrates asked for a pre-sentence report to be carried out.

On that date, a police sergeant received reports of an “intoxicated and aggressive” male at a Downham property.

That man turned out to be Padget, who lived at that property at the time. He was talking loudly and swearing when officers arrived at the scene.

He proceeded to refer to them as “c*nts, paedos and rapists” – and told them he did “not give a f*ck” about being apprehended.

He also referred to them as “nonces”, and called one female officer a “sad slag” and “f**king sp**tic”.

Officers asked him to leave the Downham address “calmly”, but he refused and was subsequently arrested. Upon being placed in handcuffs, Padget resumed his swearing.

Police managed to get half of his body into their van, but he began “kicking around” and making it difficult for officers. The sergeant was then struck on the arm by one of these kicks.

En-route to the police station, the van had to be stopped because Padget had a cigarette in his mouth. When the sergeant moved to take it from him, the defendant spat at him.

Magistrates, led by Louise Barber, handed him an 18-month community order. This will require him to complete up to ten Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and a mental health treatment order.

He will also pay a £120 fine, court costs of £145, a £114 victim surcharge, and £100 in compensation to the officer.

Mitigating, solicitor George Sorrell had said: “Spitting is a serious form of assault. It is disgusting, and he realises that.

“He has no negative attitude towards the police, but he was in drink, he had taken drugs.”

Mr Sorrell also mentioned the fact that Padget committed no offences between 2011 and 2019 before a spree of crime began.

He added: “He should be able to fall back into that sort of routine if he is given the right help.”