Court told Denver OAP kicked police officere in the groin

A 70-year-old Denver man kicked a police officer in the groin after resisting being arrested.

The officer suffered immediate pain and was still in discomfort three hours later as he wrote up his statement on the assault by Raymond Hayball.

Police had been called to an address at 11.15pm on February 26, magistrates in Lynn were told on Thursday.

Hayball was in the garden shouting and swearing and strode towards the officers, prosecutor Colette Harper said.

An officer put an arm up to keep Hayball at a distance but he shoved it out of the way. He was then taken to the ground and other officers arrived to try and handcuff him.

“He continued shouting and swearing,” said Miss Harper. “Then one minute he would be calm and apologetic, the next aggressive.”

The assault occurred as he was being asked about any needs he had.

Hayball, of Sandy Lane, was of previous good character before pleading guilty to assaulting an emergency worker.

In mitigation, solicitor Ruth Johnson said her client’s recollection of the incident was “incredibly limited” and he was distressed to learn later how he had behaved.

She said her client had joined the Merchant Navy at 15 and its “culture” of alcohol. His consumption of drink had increased due to struggling with lockdown and he had subsequently sought help from alcohol and drug support provider CGL.

Hayball was fined £440 and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the police officer. He was also told to pay £145 costs and £44 victim surcharge.