Driver smashed head through windscreen as police arrest him

It should have been business as usual for the police officers who questioned Nicholas Francis Heavingham about his licence plate. However, it ended with him damaging their vehicle, the court was told last Thursday.
Ann Sawyer-Brandish, prosecuting, said that officers spotted the 23-year-old, of St John’s Road, Newbury, driving in town with a licence plate that appeared to be too small to be legal.
She added: “He was immediately defensive. Told he would be issued with a penalty notice, he became angry and aggressive and was told to calm down. He couldn’t produce a driving licence and wouldn’t give his name.
“Officers had to take control of the situation and placed him across the police vehicle bonnet to apply handcuffs.”
He then smashed his head through the windscreen, causing hundreds of pounds of damage, before he could be properly restrained, the court heard.
Mr Heavingham, who has a number of previous convictions, admitted resisting Pc Rowena Austin and Pc Daniel Ruffle in the execution of their duty; driving a Ford Escort with a registration mark that failed to comply with regulations; and causing criminal damage worth £374.40 to a police Volvo V70. All the offences were committed in Kiln Road, Newbury, on August 28.
Mr Heavingham, who was not represented, told the court that the police had been “trying to pick fault” with him.
He conceded that he had behaved in the manner outlined by the prosecution.
Magistrates made Mr Heavingham subject to a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £374.40 compensation to Thames Valley Police, plus £85 costs with a £15 surcharge.