Police officers attacked in the line of duty - the criminals convicted of assaulting cops in the North East
Some defendants have been put behind bars while others have been slapped with a fine
Everyday police officers are at risk of being attacked while carrying out their work. Some officers have been hit or kicked while on duty and others have been spat on.
A numbers of North East criminals have recently found themselves in courts for attacking police.Some have been put behind bars while others have been slapped with a fine.
In one of the most shocking cases, a thug was jailed after assaulting three different officers.
Here are some of the defendants convicted in recent months:
Mark Howourth
The thug assaulted three police officers after he was found hiding in a cupboard.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how the police were looking for Mark Howourth, 21, following a separate incident, which resulted in no conviction.
Daisy Wrigley, prosecuting, said they attended a flat in Gateshead in February and carried out a search. She said: "He was located hiding in a cupboard in the hallway."
Howourth kicked one officer in the chest, sending her backwards, and he continued kicking her. He then went into a "kicking frenzy" and kicked two more officers.
Ms Wrigley said a second officer tried to control Howourth's legs, which resulted in him kicking out with both feet. He was kicked to the left side of his chest and his jaw.
A third officer, who attempted to use PAVA spray, was also kicked in the stomach.
Howourth, of Greystoke Gardens, Gateshead, admitted three charges of assault by beating of an emergency worker.
John Crawford, defending, said Howourth is a young man who has made a string of poor decisions. He said he has been working with the drug and alcohol recovery teams while in custody.
Earlier this month, Howourth was sentenced to 18 months behind bars.
(Image: Northumbria Police)1 of 7Jake Burns
The 21-year-old spat in the face of a detention officer when he was being searched at a police station in Newcastle.
The victim was asked to search Jake Burns, who was visibly agitated and acting abusive, while working at Forth Banks Police Station at around 2am on June 22.
Ruth Forster, prosecuting, said: "He turned his head and spat in the direction of the officer's face. It hit the left side of his head and neck. He didn't expect that when he was simply conducting a search in front of other officers."
Burns, of St Stephen's Way, Percy Main, North Shields, North Tyneside, pleaded guilty to one count of common assault on an emergency worker.
Nick Kell, defending, said: "My client is a young man who has had a very hard life."
Mr Kell said Burns had been trying to build bridges with a family member and there was an argument. He said that Burns became aggravated and ended up being arrested as a result of that.
He added: "I've spoken to him today and I have detailed what's been said in the case summary and he can't remember that incident. However that said, he does not seek to dispute what has been said. He fully accepts committing that offence and he is very sorry that he acted in that way and that happened."
Earlier this month, Burns was fined £120 and ordered to pay £50 compensation. He must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)2 of 7Graham Edmond
The thug spat at one police officer and kicked another in the face.
Homeless Graham Edmond, 41, lashed out at the cops while being arrested on two separate occasions, in South Tyneside.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how police were called to a street in South Shields, that Edmond was banned from entering by a civil court order, on January 19 this year.
Katie Spence, prosecuting, told the court: "The defendant was resisting arrest, saying things to officers like 'get your hands off me' and 'I'm going to kill all your family'."
Edmond then spat on PC Neil Morris, with the spit landing on his jacket.
He pleaded guilty on the basis that he had been 'clearing his throat' and had not intended to spit at the officer. The plea was accepted by the prosecution.
Edmond was also sentenced for breaching a restraining order against his ex-partner. Ms Spence said a letter was delivered to the woman's home on March 23, and she recognised the handwriting as belonging to the defendant.
Edmond was arrested the following day for the breach, and while being detained he assaulted PC Henderson by kicking him in the face.
Earlier this month, Edmond was sentenced to 13 months in prison. His restraining order was increased to 10 years.
(Image: Northumbria Police)3 of 7Gillian Weatherstone
![Gillian Weatherstone leaving Newcastle crown court]()
The 40-year-old hurled homophobic abuse at one police officer and assaulted another.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how officers were called to a Premier Inn hotel in Newcastle on December 20 last year. They found Weatherstone and a man in the midst of an "ongoing dispute".
The court heard how Weatherstone left but forgot her phone and police were trying to retrieve it for her. She then became loud and verbally aggressive.
Weatherstone called one officer an offensive homophobic name before she was arrested and taken to a police station. She continued her abusive behaviour before being "taken to the floor" by other officers.
While being restrained, Weatherstone "lashed out" and hit one officer in the nose. She then called a female officer a homophobic name.
Weatherstone, of Rectory Place, Gateshead, pleaded guilty to two public order offences and one offence of assaulting an emergency worker.
Ian Wilson, defending, said Weatherstone had left the hotel due to issues of domestic violence. He said: "She was trying to point out she was the victim. She was very frustrated and began to use those words."
Mr Wilson said police took Weatherstone to the floor "rather over-zealously" and said "at no stage did she deliberately assault a police officer".
In June this year, Weatherstone was handed a nine month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £111 total court costs.
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)4 of 7
