Jail for traffic warden attack

Ashley Mansell, 20, a building worker, of Cowfold Road, Brighton, deliberately ran into the traffic warden, who was in uniform, as he gave chase.

The warden William Marlow, 52, a former East Sussex firefighter, was knocked to the ground, cracking two ribs.

It aggravated an injury and he had to take two months off work.

Mansell was ordered to pay £500 compensation to the injured traffic warden after his prison sentence.

The incident happened in the car park behind Safeway in St James's Street, Brighton, as Mr Marlow was walking back to the town's police station last December after his shift had finished.

A jury at Hove Crown Court last month found Mansell guilty of grievous bodily harm.

Mansell and a 17-year-old friend were walking across the Safeway car park when they saw Mr Marlow.

Mansell's companion said: "Look at that prat with a tit on his head".

The cap was knocked off his head by the 17-year-old and Mr Marlow gave chase.

Mansell told the jury it was a total accident and he was just running after his friend.

Pierce Power, representing Mansell, pleaded with the judge not to jail his client.

He described the incident as a "stupid and misguided" attempt to help a friend.

He said Mansell had a steady girlfriend and a young child and he was thinking of joining the fire service.

Judge Adam Issard-Davies, sentencing him said: "It was clear that you and your friend chose to make fun of the traffic warden who was on his way back from doing his job.

"You and your friend knocked his hat off after making some fatuous comment about his uniform.

"He had the courage to chase after you and when he did you chose to stop him by using violence.

"People who are in the public service are entitled to protection. They are identified by their uniform and you insisted on mocking him."

"Hooliganism and violence are a spreading disease and the courts must be alive to combating that."