Broken ribs for Kidderminster thug who attacked police officer

Wayne Godfrey had not touched alcohol for 17 years, but made up for it on a session in Worcester when he assaulted a police officer and threatened the landlord of the Horn and Trumpet pub after staff refused to serve him.

He was one of two Kidderminster men at Worcester Magistrates' Court on Thursday (January 28) in connection with assaults on West Mercia Police officers.

Richard Davis was also in court for assaults on two emergency workers, both police officers.

Godfrey, 44, of Linnet Rise, admitted common assault on an emergency worker and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards landlord Adrian Birch during the incident on December 20 last year.

Wayne Godfrey made threats at the Horn and Trumpet in Worcester

Mark Hambling, prosecuting, said Mr Birch, who manages the pub, was threatened by Godfrey who shouted: “I will stab you! Come outside and I will sort you out properly. I will have you and burn the pub down!”

Officers attended the scene following the incident outside the pub in Angel Street, Worcester at 8.20pm. However, Godfrey was said to have continued with his behaviour, which led to a struggle with PC Porter.

The defendant grabbed the top of PC Porter’s body armour which caused minor reddening to his neck, the result of him pulling on the officer’s vest.

In interview Godfrey told officers: “I can’t remember anything from the incident.”

He did remember a scuffle but told police "it was all a bit of a blur".

“He could not account for the assault but stated his behaviour was not reasonable,” said Mr Hambling.

The prosecutor added: “Police officers put themselves in harm’s way to try and protect members of the public and deal with matters such as this.”

Wayne Godfrey. Photo by James Connell

Godfrey, a foreman working in construction, has previous convictions but they were referred to by the Crown as non-recent.

Paul O’Keeffe, defending, said his client had expressed his remorse and wanted to apologise to the people involved. “He’s more than happy to compensate those he has wronged,” said the solicitor.

The advocate told the bench that the incident happened after Godfrey had been out in Worcester with a friend and "clearly they had consumed too much alcohol by the time they got to this pub".

Initially Godfrey believed he had not done anything wrong and was recording pub staff on his phone, the solicitor said, believing he was "the wronged person".

The recording continued for 10 minutes and Mr O’Keeffe accepted his client became argumentative.

“He repeatedly says to staff he hasn’t had a drink for 17 years up until this night. Up until this matter, that was true. Alcohol does not agree with him. He knows that from the past," he said.

Given that Godfrey had no recollection of the incident, he had "no alternative" but to enter guilty pleas and did so on a full facts basis.

“Mr Godfrey has suffered three broken ribs. I have confirmation of that from the hospital,” said Mr O’Keeffe.

The solicitor also stressed that Godfrey was "highly thought of" at work and had a number of people working under him.

“His employers are obviously disappointed,” said the solicitor.

Magistrates ordered Godfrey pay £50 in compensation each to the publican and the police officer. They also fined him £200 for the assault and £100 for the threatening behaviour.

He was also ordered to pay a contribution of £135 towards costs and a victim surcharge of £34.

Richard Davis. Photo by James Connell

In the other case, Richard Davis, 34, of Leswell Grove, Kidderminster admitted assaulting PCs Holloway and Maycroft at Cotheridge on December 29 last year.

During the incident, Davis swung a punch at one officer and officers had to press their emergency button to call for extra assistance.

Injuries including cuts and bruises were sustained by both officers as Davis kicked out while being restrained.

He was ordered to pay £50 compensation to each officer. He was fined £250, ordered to make a contribution to costs of £135 and pay a victim surcharge of £34.

“I’m very sorry to everyone involved,” said Davis.