A man who behaved “disgracefully” during a prolonged incident of domestic violence, dangerous/drink driving and assaulting a police officer, has been jailed for 44-months.

Moses Ralph was subject of a suspended prison sentence imposed less than two months earlier, for an unprovoked attack on a pedestrian with a walking stick, when his latest spate of offending took place on the night of Friday March 17, into the following morning.

Durham Crown Court heard it began with the defendant driving at speed towards a woman who was sitting on steps sobbing, outside Tindale Crescent Workingmen’s Club, in Bishop Auckland, at about 11pm on March 17.

Ralph, who was at the wheel of the woman’s Mercedes A-class vehicle, screeched onto the pavement and applied the brakes, before getting out of the car, sprinting over to her and punching her in the face.

Read more: Neighbours intervened when man attacked woman carrying child

Annelise Haugstad, prosecuting, told the court as the defendant then dragged the hysterical woman to the car he was heard saying to her: “Do you think I’m a divvie?”

The Mercedes sped off, but it came to police attention as it passed a patrol car, well in excess of the 30-mph speed limit on a road in Bishop Auckland.

Lights and sirens were activated by the police officers, but Ralph failed to stop, weaving across the full width of the road, initially at 50-mph, but then reaching 60 in a residential area of Westfield Road.

Miss Haugstad said the Mercedes narrowly missing another vehicle on Cockton Hill Road, with the front nearside door open and white shoes protruding from it, as if someone was trying to get out of the passenger side of the car.

The Mercedes accelerated to between 90 and 100-mph on Woodhouse Lane, approaching Etherley, and, later, having turned onto the A6072, passing Redworth and approaching Heighington roundabout, it mounted a pavement and bounced off, before slowing and colliding with a tree.

Ralph was detained at the scene and subject to a roadside breath test, the lowest reading of which showed 52 micrograms of alcohol, compared to the legal limit of 35mg.

He was also found to be in possession of a folding lock knife and some herbal cannabis, both of which were seized from him.

Miss Haugstad said Ralph “continued to behave appallingly” in a police van, using foul language towards the officers, exposing his penis and buttocks, spitting, urinating and defecating, which required a professional deep clean to enable the vehicle to be operable for further use.

Read more: Road ban for Bishop Auckland man caught driving after smoking cannabis

Ralph was led into a police station in a spit hood, but in his continued angry mood he went on bite the forearm of an officer, who had to attend hospital for medical advice, receiving a tetanus injection and antibiotics, as a precaution.

Miss Haugstad said the officer described the incident and Ralph’s behaviour as, “vile and stomach-turning”.

The 28-year-old defendant, of Craddock Street, Spennymoor, admitted a range of offences arising from the incident, including dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage to the police vehicle, possessing a bladed article and cannabis, plus being in breach of a suspended prison sentence.

His record was said to include past driving, drugs, knife-carrying andoffences of violence.

Katie Spence, for the defendant, said bad as the driving was, “it’s not the worst case of its kind to come before the courts”.

She said the defendant has found it difficult being in custody for the past two months and has been unable to access assistance with his mental health difficulties.

“He’s found prison a huge strain, but he accepts, given his behaviour, it’s where he needs to be.

“He has been self-medicating for some time now, without the formal diagnosis of a doctor, and, on release, his priority is to see a gp, top of the list.

“He needs help and doesn’t seem to be able to regulate his emotions, instead turning to drink and drugs rather than seeking help from people who would assist him.”

Miss Spence added that the defendant would have a job awaiting him and would be able to receive the help he needs in the community when he is released.

But Judge Jo Kidd told Miss Spence: “This case is so serious only the imposition of an immediate term of imprisonment is appropriate.

“He was, in my view, very lucky to have been given the opportunity to work with the Probation Service between that last offence and the commission of these offences.

“It all forms part of a pattern of violence and threatening behaviour.”

The judge said it was, “of exceptional concern” that the defendant was again found to be in possession of a bladed article, the lock knife, upon his latest arrest.

She told Ralph the level of “disgraceful” violence he used on the victim of the assault and to the police was, “obscene” during the whole incident.

“What is clear that the assault was prolonged, beginning outside the car and continuing, after you abducted her, inside the car.

Read next:

* Spennymoor man and teenage co-accused cleared over charges arising from Bishop Auckland burglary

* Spennymoor street attacker back in jail for 21st time

* County Durham man jailed for 'reprehensible' attack on former partner

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“Due to the manner of your driving, it clearly caused her to try to get out of a moving vehicle.

“And, all this against a background of a significant list of convictions for violence and while you were subject to a suspended sentence order.”

Imposing consecutive prison sentences amounting to three years and eight months, half of which he will serve in custody before his release on licence, the judge also banned the defendant from driving for a total of 44 months.