Teenager kicked police officer's head like it was a football

A court was told how a 14-year-old Blackpool youth had anger in his face when he launched a kick at a policeman’s head.

The town’s Youth Court was told the youngster had kicked out like he was trying to kick a football as hard as he could.

It was the youth’s second attack on a police officer in the space of two months.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said the accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was a member of a gang of teenagers who were causing trouble in the Gorton Street and Caunce Street areas.

During the first incident when police were sent to the scene and tried to arrest one youngster the youth punched him in the head and ran off.

Police later traced him an d when they went to arrest him at his home he resisted officers and swore at them.

In the second incident in the same area,the accused came out of a crowd and launched a kick at an officer’s head which knocked the constable out and he needed hospital treatment.

The youth pleaded guilty to the two police assaults and resisting arrest.

In a statement one officer said: “The youth had anger in his face and kicked the officer on the head like kicking a football as hard as he could.”

The judge was told these were the youth’s first offences and she gave him a 12 month referral order.The officer who was kicked will get £200 compensation and the other officer £50 compensation.

The judge told the defendant: “These are serious offences. You punched one officer on the head, then resisted arrest and two months later kicked another officer in the head knocking him out.

“You are a lucky young man to have family supporting you.Many youths who come before me do so abandoned by their parents with no support.”

His lawyer Brett Chappell told the hearing:”He has fallen in with the wrong crowd and has indulged in chaotic and belligerent behaviour.He doed however tell me he is cutting ties with this group.”

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