An intoxicated man who punched a police officer outside a garage was likened to “Jekyll and Hyde” by his defence solicitor.

Police officers were on mobile patrol dealing with a male reported as missing on the evening of August 25, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Christopher Macaulay, 35, of Seven Acres, Parton, was located at the Pelican Garage on New Road in Whitehaven.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said police had spoken to Macaulay, who was crying and shouting.

The defendant had then received a phone call from a female friend who came to collect him. She arrived with two males and agreed she would take him home and look after him, the court heard.

Ms Fee said officers had then seen Macaulay jump off the floor and lunge at the two males. He then punched one of the officers.

Police pushed him back towards the ground and told him he was under arrest because he had assaulted an officer. It was clear he was intoxicated, the court was told.

John Cooper, defending, said: “He said he struggles to remember any of the incident. He has been sectioned three times in the last few months. He was having a mental health episode.

“The lady brought two males with her.”

Mr Cooper asked the defendant to turn round and show the court the back of his head.

He told the court: “He has been hit with a hammer in the back of the head before the incident.

“He is attending appointments. He is co-operating to a degree.

“It’s a punch but a relatively short-lived incident. It didn’t cause any injury.

“He is very co-operative in the police station with me. It’s like a Jekyll and Hyde thing.”

Macaulay pleaded guilty to assault by beating of an emergency worker.

He was given a 12-month community order with 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was fined £40 and must pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge. 

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