A MAN from Rhyl who inflicted a “prolonged, persistent assault” on two officers in Abergele has been spared jail.

Joseph Evans, 28, of Millbank Road, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for a year-and-a-half, at Mold Crown Court today (July 24).

He had previously pleaded guilty to assault by beating of one emergency worker, and common assault of another.

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Prosecuting, James Coutts told the court that, shortly before 7pm on March 5, 2022, Police Constables George and Paul Jones were called to a large-scale disturbance at The Harp Inn, Abergele.

When they arrived, Evans and his girlfriend had left the premises, but their details and names were given from others involved in the incident, which had left people with facial injuries.

The officers sought to locate them, having been told the direction in which they had gone, and found them on top of a roof of a small flat by Abergele Library.

Evans’ girlfriend was then found on the ground in the library car park with blood on her face, and was told by the officers she was being arrested on suspicion of affray.

She started to shout at and resist the officers, who went to handcuff her, when Evans jumped down from the flat roof, running towards them and “gritting his teeth”.

Both officers thought they were going to be interfered with and assaulted by Evans, so PC George Jones released his grip on the female to take the defendant to the floor.

He was also then told he was being arrested on suspicion of affray, when he began “struggling” and “violently resisting” the officers.

While Paul Jones assisted his colleague, Evans assaulted both officers.

He pinched and bit Paul Jones on the arm, and assaulted him just below his right eye, while George Jones sustained a broken finger from Evans.

After being placed in body restraints, Evans then threatened to “s***” the sister of one of the officers.

When interviewed by police, he gave no comment in response.

“This wasn’t a one-off incident,” Mr Coutts said.

“It was a prolonged, persistent assault.”

Evans was on licence from prison at the time, having been jailed for wounding a pub landlord.

Defending Evans, who had eight previous convictions for 11 offences, Ryan Rothwell said his guilty pleas, and the fact that he has not re-offended in the 16 months since, were his best mitigation.

Sentencing, Judge Niclas Parry also ordered Evans to carry our 250 hours’ unpaid work, and 35 “thinking skills” sessions.

He will be reviewed in court on September 18, and must pay a statutory surcharge.

Judge Parry told him: “You are a violent young man.

“You committed these offences when you were out of control of your senses because of the consumption of alcohol.

“This was more than a trifling injury.

“You’ll be back in court on September 18 to see how you’re doing. If you’re not doing well, then that prison term will be activated.

“Don’t mess up.”