A man assaulted church volunteers who were trying to help him after he soiled himself.

Brian Spring, formerly of New Steine Mews, Brighton, went into St Mary’s Church in St James’s Street, Kemp Town, to seek assistance.

He shouted abuse at and assaulted the three volunteers who tried to help him.

St Mary's Church in Kemp Town St Mary's Church in Kemp Town (Image: Google) In a second incident, on September 9, Spring, 48, assaulted a man working at a sheltered housing scheme in Grand Parade, Brighton, while intoxicated with Class A drugs.

Spring pinned the staff member to a wall after he was called to a disturbance at the premises.

The man sought safety with another colleague in an office while Spring attempted to break in by smashing windows with a plank and kicking the locked door.

When police arrived at the scene, Spring resisted arrest and tried to headbutt an officer, later spitting on him.

Spring was taken into custody, where he threw food at a police detention officer through a cell hatch.

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Following the first incident, Spring was arrested and found guilty of three counts of assault by beating at Brighton Magistrates' Court in July.

On September 18 at Brighton Magistrates’ Court, Spring pleaded guilty to four counts of assault by beating, two counts of assaulting an emergency worker and criminal damage.

He has been sentenced to six months in prison.

Brighton Detective Superintendent Kris Ottery said: “Earlier this month, Spring assaulted staff and police officers who were all working to help him.

“We are fortunate to have committed police officers who help protect vulnerable people and work to make our communities a safer place.

“Officers do not sign up to be assaulted, but sadly this is a risk all emergency workers face. It is not acceptable and should never be considered as simply ‘part of the job’.

“These incidents impact on officers and their colleagues. That is why we will do everything we can to ensure that those responsible for causing harm are brought to justice.

“Spring’s behaviour was appalling, so we are pleased a significant custodial sentence was imposed.”