A man who threw urine at police officers after dowsing them in lighter fluid and battering one with a baseball bat has been locked up.
Mohammed Hussain launched the violent attacks during a lengthy stand-off with officers when they attempted to arrest him after he threatened to stab his former partner’s new lover.
The 34-year-old told officers the only way he would leave his flat was in a body bag before climbing onto the roof and throwing tiles at officers on March 3 this year.
Teesside Crown Court heard how Hussain also set bedding alight before throwing at the officers forcing them to extinguish the flames at the block of flats in Hartlepool.
Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said Hussain hit one officer several times to the head with a baseball bat but thankfully he was wearing protective head gear and didn’t suffer any significant injury.
He added: “He said that he hated the police that he had attacked them in the past and that he would set his dog on them if they came closer.
“He then started pouring lighter fluid down the stairwell and he squirted it at the officers making contact with them.
“He also poured it on the carpet and tried to set fire to it. Fearing escalation, the two officers back away and called for support.”
Mr Newcombe said Hussain threw items at the officers, including a radiator, a chest of drawers and a vacuum cleaner.
The judge heard how the defendant then set light to bedding and threw them at officers which set fire to the carpet.
The defendant then hit the officer five to six times with a baseball bat before brandishing a large kitchen knife and threatening them.
The stand-off lasted for several hours and eventually came to an end when they tasered the defendant and arrested him after he threw urine at the officers.
Hussain, of no fixed abode but formerly of Elwick Road, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to reckless arson and five counts of assaulting an emergency worker.
Jamie Adams, mitigating, said his client was suffering significantly with his mental health at the time of the offences and was now alcohol and drug-free while serving time on remand.
He added: “He has limited recollection of offence that day and his actions were deplorable. He demonstrated insight and remorse for his behaviour.”
See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here
- Gang of lager-swilling thugs jailed for 20 years for violent attack on police
- Police officer's life destroyed by beer-fuelled mob-attack by gang of thugs
- Darlington pair appear in court following death of a toddler
Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access to the latest offer for annual or monthly subscription. Click here for details.
Judge Chris Smith passed an extended prison sentence of seven years as he locked Hussain up for the raft of offences in ‘this troubling case’.
“You were violent and aggressive and abusive from the outset. You told them that you hated the police and had attacked them in the past which was right as you have previous convictions for assaulting emergency workers and resisting arrest,” he said.
“You poured lighter fluid down the stairwell and squirted it at the officers – that is dangerous behaviour.”
Hussain will serve four years and nine months in custody with an additional two years and three months on extended licence.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here