A MAN has been sent to prison because he assaulted a police officer – for the third time.

Richard Goode, of Tallow Hill, Worcester, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer and breaching a conditional discharge.

Police were called to an address in Infirmary Walk, Worcester, on Saturday, April 10, by Goode’s distressed partner after he would not leave.

The defendant was found by police sitting on the sofa, clearly intoxicated.

Goode, aged 44, refused to leave when he was asked by police, as it was too late for him to return to where he lived and he had nowhere else to go.

The officers decided to arrest him, but when Goode realised he was going to spend a night in the cells he became aggressive.

He began kicking out – striking one of the officer’s shins, causing bleeding, grazing and discomfort – before they had to force him to the ground.

When they tried for the second time to take him to the police station, he became limp.

The officers then had to drag him across Castle Street and into the police station, where he continued screaming and shouting.

But then he calmed down and the arresting officer described sitting on a bench in the station discussing “the ways of the world” with Goode.

Goode committed the offence while on a conditional discharge for a conviction for being drunk and disorderly, during which he threatened to go and get a knife to kill his partner – choosing that weapon because “knives only cost £2”.

But Paul Stanley, defending at Worcester Magistrates Court, said despite all this the couple – who were long-term homeless – were hoping to move in together.

“My client clearly has issues with alcohol,” said Mr Stanley.

He said Goode disagreed with the probation report which said “he has no respect for the police”.

Sentencing, district judge Bruce Morgan said: “You have a problem with alcohol and you do not seem prepared to do anything about it.

“This is your third conviction for assaulting a police officer. It is a difficult task for anyone to do without you making it harder.”

Goode was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison.