Angry drunk spat at police after assaulting boyfriend in public

An angry drunk assaulted police after getting into a scrap with his boyfriend. Billy Cowperthwaite kicked and spat on PC Smallman while being arrested on November 19.

North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the 33-year-old was last sentenced for assaulting an emergency worker in April 2025.

Prosecutor Alisha Collins told the court: On November 19, police received a 999 call reporting two men fighting at the Strand in Longton. One of these men was the defendant. The other was his partner. The defendant was arrested and started resisting. He then assaulted the officer twice.

PC Smallman, of Staffordshire Police, delivered a written account of the disgusting assault.

He explained: I placed my handcuffs on the defendant at his front. He was gesturing and I could feel his muscles straining. He punched his arms again angrily towards me. I held his neck and placed him down on the ground to stop him lashing out.

He began screaming and thrashing. I told him to calm down. Then he kicked his leg out and hit me in the shoulder. I told him not to kick me and he said I shouldnt have put him on the floor for no reason.

I began using my radio when I heard him making a noise. He was hocking back sputum. Then I felt him spit it out onto my face. I pushed his face away from me to stop him from doing it again.

Cowperthwaite, of Beveridge Close, Meir, pleaded guilty to assault by beating and assaulting an emergency worker.

Jo Corbett, mitigating, said Cowperthwaite has addressed the root of his offending.

He explained: He has restrained himself from drinking any more alcohol. He does not like the way he behaves when he consumes it. He has also been working with the mental health team and is receiving medication. He hasnt got a lengthy criminal record and, now he has dealt with his alcohol usage, I doubt we will see him in these courts again.

Cowperthwaite was slapped with a 12-month community order requiring him to complete 25 rehabilitation days and a 120-day alcohol abstinence requirement. He was also ordered to pay 150 compensation to PC Smallman.

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