Shoplifter lost the plot in shop then attacked police officer

A foul-mouthed shoplifter hurled a stolen shower gel at a shopworker before attacking a police officer.

Adam Bennett, of Adelaide Court, went on a violent spree in Bedworth town centre before getting this mugshot.Bennett was initially suspected of stealing from a shop.

When a member of staff tried to stop the 45-year-old, he hurled a bottle of shower gel at his head. Bennett also grabbed him by the shirt and threatened him.Bennett then went into a nearby pharmacist, where a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) tried to detain him until other police officers arrived.

The PCSO was assaulted by Bennett who slapped her hand, threw an empty medicine bottle at her, and threatened to punch her in the face, before leaving.

He then went into a nearby clothes shop.

As he left, Bennett once again made threatening gestures towards the PCSO and told her: “I’ll tell you what I will do to you”, before being quickly tackled to the floor by a Police Constable and arrested for assault.After proceeding to shout “**** ***” and “***** repeatedly while on the floor, Bennett was also arrested for violating Section 5 of the Public Order Act.

His violence and tirade was caught on body-worn video and nearby CCTV cameras.Following a trial in Coventry Magistrates Court of 3 November, Bennett was sentenced to two weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay a victims’ surcharge of £154 following the incident on November 1.

He was also found guilty of violating Section 5 of the Public Order Act.Speaking about the incident, Warwickshire Police Chief Constable Debbie Tedds said: "It is always distressing to hear of one of our officers being assaulted while trying to protect the public.

"A member of the public had been assaulted after trying to defend his place of work, which was unacceptable and necessitated a robust police response.“It’s at times like this we are particularly thankful for body-worn video, which allow us to very quickly resolve all incidents of violence against our officers with sufficient evidence in court.

"I’d like to say thanks to the officers involved in this arrest for their professionalism and expedience in dealing with Mr Bennett."