Reading Magistrates' Court: Newbury man attacks Covid check police

A MAN assaulted a police officer sent to check he was complying with coronavirus quarantine measures.

The 28-year-old had returned from abroad during lockdown and officers had been sent to his Newbury home to make enquiries.

But a court heard he found their demeanour "overbearing" and "confrontational".

In the dock at Reading Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, January 11, was Charles Tharby, who lives at Elizabeth Avenue.

Maddie Charlesworth, prosecuting, said: "The defendant had returned from Spain and his up-to-date contact details were needed by the UK Border Force to ensure his compliance with Government guidelines on isolation.

"It took some time but eventually his mother opened the door and the defendant came downstairs and confirmed his identity."

But Mr Tharby then became uncooperative and aggressive, the court heard.

Ms Charlesworth added: "The defendant then came out of the house, raised his arm above his head and slammed it down, hard, on to the officer's clipboard, knocking it from her hand and sending papers flying.

"This caused her pain and bruising and she had quite simply been trying to do her job as instructed.

"Mr Tharby was arrested and, in interview, admitted knocking the clipboard from her hand and said he had found the officer stand-offish and domineering."

Mr Tharby admitted assaulting PCSO Cherie Cranstone by beating her while she was carrying out her official duties on March 29 last year.

He has previous convictions for assault and public order offences, the court heard.

Jo Benn, defending, said her client had not been in any trouble since 2015 and expressed surprise that he had not been offered an "out of court settlement".

She said Mr Tharby suffered from mental health issues and added: "This wasn't some great assault – he hasn't punched the officer.

"He had been visiting his son in Spain and was supposed to be isolating.

"In fact, he was isolating, and he and his mother felt the officer was being incredibly overbearing and confrontational."

Mr Tharby was made subject to a 12-month conditional discharge.

In addition, he was ordered to pay £45 costs, plus a statutory victim services surcharge of £22.

Finally, Mr Tharby was ordered to pay £50 to PCSO Cranstone.