The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A drunken man who assaulted an off-duty police officer who stepped in to protect his own mother has been fined £83 by magistrates in Boston.
Luke Purvis (22) of Windsover Road, Spalding admitted assaulting the off-duty officer Alex Irving by beating in Spalding on February 22.
Jim Clare, prosecuting, said Mr Irving had gone out for the evening with his mother, also an off-duty officer, and other friends.
He said that Mrs Irving heard someone behind the group spitting loudly and when she looked round, Purvis came up to her in an aggressive manner with his fists clenched, saying: “What did you say? I deserve some respect.”
Mr Clare said Mr Irving went up and put himself between Purvis and his mother and told him to go away but Purvis punched him on the jaw.
He said that when Mr Irving told him he was a police officer, Purvis ran away but was detained after a chase.
When he was interviewed later, Purvis told the police he had been ‘highly intoxicated’ and although he could remember punching Mr Irving, couldn’t remember why.
He also said he “panicked and ran” when he realised Mr Irving was a police officer.
Mitigating, Philippa Chatterton said Purvis had been out with his partner but had begun to feel poorly and so decided to go home.
She said he did clear phlegm in his mouth and spat it on a wall and then he heard someone make a comment about “disgusting behaviour”.
“He told them he didn’t appreciate the comment and it all escalated from there,” she told the magistrates.
“He didn’t go out that night to get into a fight.”
The magistrates fined Purvis £83 and ordered him to pay £50 compensation to Mr Irving and £115 in costs and charges.
