Ex-serviceman pepper sprayed by police officers

Matthew Carroll had to be pepper-sprayed by the officer after he became aggressive in Queen Street.

Carroll, 33, of Preston Old Road, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.

He was fined £230 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £23 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said police saw Carroll, who was extremely drunk fighting with another man, on March 18 at 2.30am.

When a police officer intervened, Carroll turned his aggression on him threatening to hurt the officer if he did not get out of the way.

Carroll told magistrates that he was deeply sorry and ashamed for his behaviour but he had been assaulted first by the other man and was acting in self-defence.

He said he had massive facial injuries and could not see for the blood so he might had thought the officer was the aggressor.

Carroll added that his medication had now been changed and he knew not to drink alcohol with it. He had also enrolled on a programme for ex-servicemen who were having problems.