Last updated at 16:42, Friday, 19 October 2012

A MAN “went off the rails” and turned to drink and pills to deal with his grief after delivering a stillborn baby, a court heard.

Christopher Taylor caused a scene in an off licence when refused the chance to buy alcohol because he was drunk.

He later assaulted a policeman called out by his sister because Taylor was drunk and “going crazy” at his home.

But Preston Crown Court heard his problems with drink dated back to an incident two years ago when he suffered the traumatic experience of delivering a baby stillborn, after a call for help went unanswered at hospital.

The 26-year-old, of Lightburn Avenue, Ulverston, was given a suspended sentence by the judge yesterday. Taylor had been committed to the higher court for sentencing after admitting theft, a public order offence and an assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

On July 19, he had entered a branch of Bargain Booze, where he tried to buy a bottle of rum and some bottles of coke, but he was refused service because he was drunk.

He then picked up two test tube sizes of alcohol, worth 98p, and drank them. Taylor was identified from police viewing CCTV in the shop.

The assault on the police officer happened on September 3, while he was on court bail.

Mr Henry Pepper, prosecuting, said the defendant’s sister called police to say Taylor was drunk, going crazy and fighting with their father.

PC Mark Turner went to the home and Taylor headbutted him and punched him in the mouth, causing a broken tooth.

Defence barrister Mr Richard Bennett said Taylor had a problem with alcohol, but only started offending in 2010.

“This is a young man who has very much gone off the rails,” he said.

Mr Bennett explained the defendant’s former partner of three years became pregnant. She was a diabetic and was taken into hospital to deliver the baby.

Mr Bennett told the court: “He was left at the bedside and told to ring the bell if there was any trouble. There was trouble. He rang the bell but no-one came.

“The short and sad version of this story is he was responsible, in the absence of any assistance, for bringing into the world a stillborn child. The mother was taken very seriously ill, in the middle of a hypo-glycaemic episode. This has all had a very dramatic effect upon him.’’

The defendant was said to be thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour and had shown genuine remorse.

Taylor was given 26 weeks jail, suspended for two years, with 12 months supervision, six months alcohol treatment and an order to do 240 hours unpaid work. For 12 weeks he will be on a nightly curfew, to operate from 8pm-6am.

Judge Robert Altham said he could readily understand why the loss of a child had had a profound effect on him.

But he also told him: “This was a wholly unwarranted, aggressive assault by you using your head as a weapon. Police officers are entitled to expect protection from the sentences of the court.”

First published at 10:25, Friday, 19 October 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk