Last updated at 11:44, Thursday, 12 July 2012

A FORMER Barrow Raiders player who violently assaulted four police officers has avoided jail.

ATTACKED COPS: Former Barrow Raiders star Geoff Luxon

Geoffrey Charles James Luxon attacked three officers when they were called to his Walney home on June 3 following a row with his wife of 15 years.

The father-of-three was eventually restrained and taken to Barrow police station, but attacked another officer.

His rampage was only stopped when he was forced into a cell.

The 41-year-old was yesterday (tues) sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for 12 months, after magistrates considered his mental and financial difficulties.

Ms Judith Knott, prosecuting, told Furness Magistrates’ Court three officers – PC Antony Maddox, PC Philip Rigby and Special Constable David Platt – went to Luxon’s Tamar Mews home and found him barricaded in an upstairs bedroom.

PC Rigby used CS gas spray on the defendant and Ms Knott said this caused him to “lose his temper uncontrollably”.

Luxon gauged PC Maddox’s eyes, with the spray on his fingers, causing the officer to fall to the floor in the foetal position, before jumping on him and punching him multiple times to the head.

PC Rigby was punched in the cheek, pushed downstairs and rolled into the front garden.

After being arrested and taken to the police station, Luxon later asked PC Stephen Riley “you want some?” and punched him several times, before officers forced him into a cell.

Under police interview, Luxon described his behaviour as “totally unjustified”.

He told officers his “life went into a downward spiral” after he retired from rugby.

He said he needed strong painkillers, had high blood pressure, anxiety and the sleeping disorder sleep apnea.

He told police he suffered from depression which “took over his life”.

Before the onslaught, he drank a two-litre bottle of cider, a two-litre bottle of wine, and stopped taking his anxiety medication.

Mr Trystan Roberts, defending, said Luxon suffered health difficulties from 2008 and suffered pain as a result of injuries sustained in his rugby career.

He has a drink-driving conviction from when he drove himself to Dane Garth Mental Health Unit in Barrow, because he had a breakdown and shortly afterwards attempted to kill himself.

Mr Roberts said the defendant was £2,500 in arrears with the family mortgage and, if he went to prison, he would lose his job and home.

Luxon admitted four charges of assault on an officer in the execution of duty.

Alongside the suspended sentence, magistrates sentenced him to a 12-month supervision order with the requirements to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and pay compensation of £400 to PC Maddox, £255 to PC Rigby, £250 to PC Riley and £100 Sp Cons Platt.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs.

First published at 16:20, Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk