Balaclava-clad Cold Ash man felled with Captor spray at bookies

Incapacitant used as man tries to escape police

POLICE used the incapacitant Captor spray to fell a balaclava-clad man in a bookmakers.

But in the ensuing struggle, one officer caught a faceful of the noxious substance, Newbury magistrtates heard on Thursday last week.

In the dock was 40-year-old Alan Waters of Southend, Cold Ash.

Helen Gambrill, prosecuting, said: “Police saw him entering a bookmakers wearing a balaclava and gloves and carrying a bag.

“They suspected he was going to commit an offence.

“Checks showed he was wanted for an offence of shoplifting and he was unable to give a satisfactory answer about the balaclava he was wearing.”

Mr Waters then tried to “shoulder barge” one officer to make his escape and, in the ensuing mayhem, Captor spray was deployed.

Ms Gambrill went on: “Unfortunately one officer was affected by the spray, making it more difficult to detain the defendant.”

Mr Waters was eventually overpowered and arrested.

He admitted stealing goods worth £11.97 from Lloyds Pharmacy in Thatcham on January 6 and obstructing or resisting a police officer in Thatcham High Street on January 11.

He has previous convictions for offences including theft and assault, the court heard.

A probation officer told magistrates that Mr Waters “refuses to address his drug use or engage in discussions about his criminal behaviour”.

But Adonis Daniel, defending, said his client had attended probation sessions and urged the court to deal with the matter by a financial penalty.

Magistrates fined Mr Waters £120 and ordered him to pay £11.97 in compensation, £50 costs plus a £20 victim surcharge.