Wyberton fisherman ‘realised what an idiot he’d been’ after assaulting police officer trying to arrest his friend outside cocktail bar in Boston

A fisherman who assaulted a police officer attempting to arrest his friend left court having learned ‘two important lessons’.

Twenty-year-old Tyler Hancock became involved in the altercation outside a cocktail bar in the early hours of August 10 - a decision which cost him £645.

The Wyberton resident appeared before Boston Magistrates on Wednesday (August 28), where he pleaded guilty to assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Prosecutor Jade Salter told the court that the incident occurred outside Browns Cocktail Bar on Dolphin Lane, Boston, at 3.10am.

“Police told the defendant’s friend to go home because he was behaving aggressively,” she explained.

“The man became agitated and started shouting and swearing.

“When his friend was being arrested the defendant grabbed the police officer by both arms from behind and pulled him up back.”

The court heard how the officer retaliated by punching Hancock to the floor, before arresting him.

In defence, Beris Brickles told the court Hancock’s friend had become agitated after being ‘sexually assaulted by two males in a pub toilet’ earlier that evening, and that his behaviour was linked to what he perceived as the police not showing interest in his complaint.

“Mr Hancock is here because of his loyalty to his friend,” Mr Brickles said.

“He’s someone of previous good character who learned two valuable lessons - never argue with police and never try to get involved with a friend when they’re intoxicated (and arguing with police).

“My client saw what he thought was heavy handedness and tried to lift him (the officer) away, but he punched my client to the floor.

“He clearly realised what an idiot he’d been and apologised in police interview.”

Mr Brickles read out statements from Hancock’s boss and a family friend, both outlining how this night he acted out of character.

“The irony is that his friend got a fixed penalty notice for being drunk and disorderly,” Mr Brickles concluded.

Hancock was fined £400 and ordered to pay a £160 surcharge and £85 costs.