A man headbutted a police officer after threatening to go to a County Durham pub armed with weapons and inflicting violence on customers.
Brian Fairhirst made a phone call to a woman where he threatened to attend The Golden Lion pub in Sedgefield armed with a knife and a gun in order to harm customers on March 13, last year. But when arrested, Fairhirst was found in possession of a pool ball in a sock and then assaulted an officer.
The 42-year-old was also serving a suspended prison sentence at the time for stalking. Fairhirst appeared at Durham Crown Court on Monday to be sentenced for possession of an offensive weapon, sending a malicious communication, and assault by beating an emergency worker.
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Christopher Bevan, prosecuting, said: "The defendant made a phone call to a witness informing her he intended to attend The Golden Lion with a knife and a gun and was going to do harm to people. The witness was concerned so made contact with the police and officers attended an address where they believed they could located him.
"He was arrested and placed in handcuffs, he became confrontational and said to the officer 'I'm going to smash your f****** face in, I'm going to smash your nut in'. He then headbutted the officer and was restrained into the police van. He tried to headbutt the officer again and kicked him in the back of the van. Items were seized from the defendant, including a pool ball inside a tea towel and sock."
The court was told that Fairhirst had three previous convictions for five offences, with his first conviction coming in 2021. He had also received a suspended prison sentence for stalking involving serious harm or distress and criminal damage. His defence barrister, Elizabeth Muir was not required to make any further submissions after the judge indicated he would impose a community order and not activate the suspended sentence.
Sentencing Fairhirst, of Bickersteth Close, Stockton, Judge Ray Singh, said: "You are now over 40-years-old and your offending only really started last year. That may well be the result of personal difficulties in your life. You have to behave yourself, you are treading a thin line. Fairhirst was given a six-month community order and was made subject of a four month electronic curfew between the hours of 7pm and 7am. He must also pay £100 court costs.
