Trinidadian cagefighter to leave country after WPC attack shame

Martial arts expert Nicholas Andre Stewart hails from Trinidad and Tobago and is in the UK working for the Caribbean islands’ Government as a sporting ambassador.

The 29-year-old is also an expert surfer and his job is to encourage British people to his homeland to learn to surf and boost tourism.

He earns £40,000 a year from his work, magistrates at Blackpool heard after Stewart, who has been staying in Beech Street, Kirkham, admitted assaulting a PC. He also admitted growing cannabis plants at the address claiming the Metropolitan Police had told him it was legal for Rastafarians to possess a small number of plants. Stewart, who said he was returning to Trinidad and Tobago in the New Year, was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £670. The police officer will receive £150 of that after the court heard she she suffered internal abdominal bruising from the force of the kick.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said police were called to Beech Street after a domestic row broke out between Stewart and his girlfriend. She had placed his clothes in bags outside the property. He was trying to get back in. When he refused to leave officers attempted to remove him. They had to use PAVA spray on him and then he kicked out at the PC before he was arrested.

Brett Chappell, defending, said: “My client is a professional surfer and professional cage fighter. He is in the UK as ambassador for his Government arranging exchange trips for those wishing to surf in his home country.

“He returned to the house to find his property outside bagged up. He wanted his passport and his prized surfboards which were inside. While the police were there they found some small cannabis plants in a shed. He said police had told him Rastas were allowed five such plants because of their religion.

“He accepts he did not go quietly when asked by officers. He is due to return home as he is sponsored for a major tournament.”