Jailed: Shropshire drug addict who threatened to stab police officer with needle

Darren Hodgson had only been out of jail for days when he was approached by Pc Jessica Hindley in Bridgnorth who wanted to talk to question him about a spate of thefts from shops in the town.

But 33-year-old Hodgson pulled out the needle and warned he would stab Pc Hindley if she took another step closer to him.

She hit the panic alarm on her radio and Hodgson sprinted away from the scene, with Pc Hindley giving chase.

When she caught up with Hodgson he again held the needle just metres away from her and threatened to use it.

Mr Glyn Samuel, prosecuting, said: "This was in front of members of the public at about 5.30pm on July 2. Soon a police dog handler arrived on the scene and again Hodgson was asked to put the needle down. Again he refused.

"This caused the dog handler to get his animal out and warn Hodgson that either he put it down or he would let the dog free."

Shrewsbury Crown Court heard that again Hodgson refused to both officers used incapacitant spray on him, which had little affect on the defendant.

Mr Samuel added: "At this point one of the officers used their baton on him, striking him three times to the arm, but he still would not put down the hypodermic needle.

"At this point, the police dog was released and began biting him on the leg. The dog wrestled him to the ground and kept biting him, eventually even dragging him along the street, but still he would not let go of the needle.

"The defendant finally dropped the needle and officers arrested him."

Mr Samuel said Hodgson, of no fixed abode, was still abusive to officers and refused to be interviewed back at the station.

Hodgson admitted a charge of affray at an earlier hearing but appeared yesterday for sentencing,

Sentencing, Judge Robin Onions, said: "You simply cannot threaten police officers with syringes and expect to get away with it. You're 33, but you're obviously a pretty young 33 to behave like that and you've not grown up.

"You have got a poor record and had only been out of jail for days before you committed this act.

"This officer had a needle pulled on her and showed considerable courage to stand her ground and then when you ran away, she followed you.

"People can't do this kind of thing and expect to get away with it. The probation service has no confidence in you either. I hope you want to change your ways, but this is so serious that only custody will do."

Judge Onions also ordered Hodgson to pay a £900 criminal court charge.

Mr Paul Smith, for Hodgson, said his client had a long-standing problem with drugs but had worked hard in prison to come off them.