Man has been jailed for assaulting two PCSOs in Durham

PCSOs Ashurst and Salkeld were patrolling Durham city centre on February 6 when they encountered a heavily intoxicated Terry Atkin, of no fixed abode, drinking outside a shop in North Road.

Due to a Public Space Protection Order prohibiting the drinking of alcohol in the area, Atkin was asked to put his can in the bin.

The 34-year-old instead threw the can on the ground and spat in the face of PCSO Ashurst, before disappearing into a nearby shop to steal a bottle of cider.

The PCSOs radioed nearby police constables for help and stayed close to Atkin despite his increasingly aggressive behaviour towards them.

On Neville Street, after being told to stop urinating against a shop door, Atkin threw the stolen bottle of cider and an empty pint glass at the officers, then attempted to enter a house further up the street.

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A Durham Police spokesperson said: "Thanks to the PCSO's refusal to back down, officers were directed to the scene within minutes and Atkin was swiftly arrested.

"He was later charged with two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, and two counts of theft.

Appearing at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court the next day, he was jailed for 16 weeks."