A MAN from Gwynedd has failed in an appeal against his prison sentence after spitting at two police officers last month.
Matthew Williams, 31, of Cae Mawr, Penrhyndeudraeth, was jailed for two years at Llandudno Magistrates Court on March 1.
At Mold Crown Court today (March 24), his appeal was turned down, and his sentence upheld in full.
Prosecuting, Karl Scholz said that Williams’ story “makes for sorry reading”.
He told the court that, on February 27, officers attended Williams’ mother’s address following a call from a cousin of the defendant regarding his apparent threats to inflict self-harm on himself after a breakdown in his relationship.
Just four days prior, Williams had received a suspended sentence for assaulting three police officers at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor in November; on that occasion, his spit landed in the eyes, mouth and face of a female.
Officers found Williams at his mother’s home bare-chested, while inside the property, a vase had been smashed, the living room door was cracked, and coffee had been thrown onto the living room walls.
His mother, meanwhile, was found in the living room “hunched up and distressed”.
Williams, described as “clearly inebriated, smelling strong of drink, and at times incoherent”, was arrested for assaulting her and causing criminal damage.
After being handcuffed in the kitchen, he was taken to a police car outside, but kicked out at it, causing criminal damage to the vehicle.
He would also not bring his feet inside the car, which prevented a vehicle door from closing.
A police van was called for, and after being taken to it from the car, Williams kicked out at officers without making contact, and “had to be, in effect, carried to the van”.
Still resisting all attempts to get into the van peacefully, he was placed on the floor, and leg restraints were applied.
When picked up to be carried into van, he spat out at a police constable, hitting him in the face.
While in the van, he hit his head against a cell window, and one point, bared his buttocks against it after pulling down his trousers and underpants.
He then claimed he was chocking after placing coins and a key into his mouth, so the van was stopped, an ambulance was summoned, and Williams was taken outside.
Williams was said to have “calmed down slightly” while outside the van, and was given a foil blanket to keep himself warm, given he was still bare-chested.
He later began to chew on, and seemingly swallow, pieces of the foil blanket, and after arriving at A&E, he laughed at officers, and spat on the jacket of another policeman.
After being taken into hospital, he refused to be examined or X-rayed.
Defending, Alexandra Carrier said Williams had demonstrated his remorse to her, and had admitted he struggles with his alcohol use.
Ms Carrier added: “These circumstances clearly identify that Mr Williams was clearly struggling at the time with his mental health.
“He was the sole carer for his mother, but at the time was not caring for himself.
Williams had no similar previous convictions, she added, other than that which triggered the imposition of a suspended sentence just days earlier.
Judge Niclas Parry ruled Williams’ sentence “entirely appropriate”, and his appeal “entirely without merit”.
He added: “The police, ambulance, and hospital resources utilised as a result of this behaviour is quite, quite unacceptable.”
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