Last updated at 17:03, Wednesday, 22 August 2012

A POLICEMAN was assaulted after chasing a man who had committed assaults against his neighbours around a disused floating nightclub.

DAVID JEFFERSON

David Andrew Jefferson was sentenced to 180 days in prison for six offences.

Yesterday, Furness Magistrates’ Court heard that the 26-year-old, of Egerton Court, had been sought by police after assaulting two people following a dispute.

In the early hours of January 15, Michael and Patricia Carling returned to their home – then next door to Jefferson’s – in Paradise Street, Barrow.

Prosecuting, Mr John Appleby said the Carlings returned to hear noise blaring from the Jefferson house.

Mr Carling asked for the music to be turned down but within minutes heard the defendant kicking at his front door.

Mr Appleby said: “When Mr Carling went outside he said the defendant was acting like a mad man and flying around.”

Jefferson kicked a camera out of Mrs Carling’s hands as she tried to take pictures of the damage and then punched her husband several times. He then punched Mrs Carling in the face.

Jefferson admitted causing criminal damage to the house and assaulting Mr Carling, and was found guilty of assaulting Mrs Carling at a Newton hearing on July 19.

On April 11, PC Gareth Sargeant tried to arrest the defendant at Michaelson Docks in Barrow after he had failed to answer police bail for the January offences.

When Jefferson spotted him he began to run and climbed on board the Princess Selandia, formerly home of popular floating nightclub The Blue Lagoon.

When the officer caught him, the defendant was forced to the ground, and struck out. Jefferson pleaded guilty to this charge on August 17.

He was also sentenced yesterday for assaulting Dale Stephenson by punching him on August 25, being found guilty of the crime on July 19, and for failing to answer bail.

Jefferson was represented by both Ms Cath McAteer and Mr Mike Graham.

Ms McAteer said there was a history between the Jeffersons and the Carlings.

The magistrates sentenced Jefferson to a total of 180 days in prison for the offences for committing unprovoked assaults on innocent people and a police man.

First published at 16:38, Wednesday, 22 August 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk