Brighton lout Paul Kennard spat at Peacehaven police officers

Paul Kennard threatened to bite off an officer’s nose and gnashed his teeth while being arrested in Peacehaven.

A bodyworn camera captured police trying to calm him down in the back of a van.

But the 40-year-old lout shouted: “Get this c*** away from me.”

The footage showed him spitting at PC Porter and PC Lewis during the appalling incident.

He taunted: “How did you like that you c***?”

The officers can be heard recoiling as they were left “covered” in spittle.

At Hove Crown Court his tirade was described as “vile” and disgusting by Judge Shani Barnes.

The judge gave Kennard a six-month suspended sentence and ordered him to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation sessions.

Paul Kennard in the police and gnashing his teeth at police

Suki Dhadda, prosecuting, said the incident happened on August 6 last year.

Police were called to reports of two women, named by officers as Ms Washer and Ms Hornsby, arguing outside a block of flats.

But Kennard was seen separately, shouting abuse to someone at a first floor window which he smashed.

Ms Dhadda said: “Officers were drawn to him because of his behaviour. He appeared to be in drink.

“He was in an angry and agitated state, his fists were clenched.”

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Kennard had squared up to PC Porter and shouted: “I don’t care about your uniform.”

“Just do me in the a*** and rape my children,” he added.

When asked to leave the area, he refused, and interfered with officers as they tried to talk to the two women.

He was arrested and sprayed with captor spray before being led to the van, where the offence continued.

Richard Barton, defending, said his client had previously battled alcohol and drug problems.

Kennard, of Montague Place, Brighton, has 25 previous convictions for 88 offences.

Footage captured the moment Kennard spat at officers

Mr Barton said Kennard was “ashamed” and “remorseful” about his behaviour, and appeared so when he was shown the body camera footage in court.

Judge Shani Barnes said: “He has clearly struggled with appalling behaviour in the past with alcohol and drug addictions.

“I am pleased to see that way he reacted to the footage. He was ashamed and disappointed and I could see he was upset. He realises this was shocking behaviour.”

Turning to Kennard, the judge said: “During Covid-19 times this is absolutely unforgivable. For officers to get up every day and put on that uniform, to be called ‘pigs’ and worse, and to be spat at. This tirade was vile.

“I hope that footage gives you the resolve to stay sober and continue working to lead a decent life. Officers shouldn’t have to put up with this.

“But for the three year gap in your offending, I would have put you straight back inside because it’s disgraceful.”