A reveller who broke a bottle over a policeman’s h

A reveller who broke a bottle over a policeman’s head
after a stag night celebration was jailed for 18 months
today Monday.

After an evening of heavy drinking Michael Condon, 26, and
others in the group spilled out of the Kings Arms in Orsett,
Essex, when police were called to clear a disturbance.

But when one of the party was arrested labourer Condon
viciously ‘bottled’ PC Barry Dodd, 44, Snaresbrook Crown
Court was told.

Condon, of Partridge Close, South Hill, Middlesbrough, admitted
unlawfully wounding PC Dodd, who is attached to Corringham Police
Station.

Judge Joseph Gosschalk told Condon, who had previous convictions
for assault and criminal damage: ‘In drink you have difficulty in
controlling your behaviour.

‘There was excessive drinking by you and others in your company.

By chance rather than design you had in your hand a bottle when the
disturbance broke out.

‘Time and time again it is said that the police are entitled to
the protection of the courts.

‘This is an example where an officer doing his duty turns his
back and is attacked.

‘
Judge Gosschalk continued: ‘There has got to be an element of
deterrence in the sentence.

You will go to prison for 18 months.

‘
The court was told how on June 21 last year Condon with others
had enjoyed a drinking binge to celebrate the coming marriage of a
friend.

But at about midnight when the group had left the Kings Arms,
police were called because of the noise, said Mr Brian Stork,
prosecuting.

Some of the men were arrested including the husband-to-be after
they had twice been told to move on.

And during a scuffle Condon broke his bottle of cider over the
back of PC Dodd’s head.

After his arrest Condon, then living in Penn Close, Orsett, made
full admissions to the violent assault.

PC Dodd was taken to nearby Orsett Hospital where he needed five
stitches to a two inch head wound, the court was told.

Mr John Cooper, defending Condon, said that he had ‘momentarily
lost control’ with the bottle in his hand.

‘He was absolutely wrong to do so,’ added counsel.

ENDS