Drunk soldier assaulted police officer at Shrewsbury Railway Station

Matthew Paul Smith, aged 31, had been visiting relatives in Shrewsbury before being arrested for being drunk and disorderly and assault on May 26.

The serving army technician admitted the charges at a hearing at Telford Magistrates Court and blamed excessive drinking.

The court heard that the police officer suffered a minor injury during the fracas, which also resulted in his glasses being broken.

Miss Jenny Hancock, defending, said that Smith, a sergeant, described himself as an occasional, but ‘not a heavy drinker’. She said he had been out for a drink and had too much. She also said he may face a disciplinary hearing at work as a result of the court case.

“He doesn’t recall much of what happened. He accepts he was there and remembers snapshots of the day. He remembers being on the platform and being in custody. It doesn’t excuse his actions and he is very well aware of the repercussions,” Miss Hancock said.

The court heard that Smith, who grew up in Shrewsbury and is now based in Ipswich, had served in Afghanistan and the Middle East during his 11-year military career.

But chairman of the bench Mr Russell Thomas told him: “In reaching our decision we have listened very carefully to what has been said in the course of the hearing. We are entirely satisfied that this was a sustained assault on a person which was unacceptable. You were heavily intoxicated and you must have caused mayhem at the station and to the other passengers.

“On the other hand you have an exemplary report from your captain who spoke of your previous good character and you gave guilty pleas. It is because of this that we are stepping back from imposing a community order. I imagine you will not ever be seen in court again and that this was a very salutary lesson that you have learned today.”

For being drunk and disorderly and assaulting a police officer Smith was fined £665. He must pay £100 for the damaged spectacles, £135 costs and a victim’s surcharge of £67.