Chef broke PC’s leg outside club (From York Press)

Chef Jonathan Smith broke PC’s leg outside Fibbers in York

10:00am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News By Megi Rychlikova, megi.rychlikova@thepress.co.uk

A CHEF who broke a policeman’s leg in two places when he drunkenly tried to resist arrest has been spared jail.

PC Matthew Brownridge had to endure three hours of surgery and is still off work more than eight months after he tried to arrest Jonathan Ian Smith outside Fibbers in York on New Year’s Eve.

York Crown Court heard Smith reacted so violently when he was refused entry at midnight, the nightclub’s management called police to help deal with him.

Officers tried to arrest him for being drunk and disorderly, but Smith pushed PC Brownridge with his shoulder, knocking him to the ground and breaking two bones in his leg.

Suspending an 11-month prison sentence for 12 months, Judge Scott Wolstenholme told Smith: “You were argumentative and stroppy and would not take no for an answer.

“You said afterwards that the police were heavy-handed. They would not have been heavy-handed if you had been compliant. You were not. You caused a really dreadful injury.”

Smith, 22, of Roman Avenue South, Stamford Bridge, pleaded guilty to causing grievious bodily harm to PC Brownridge with intent to resist arrest. He must do 200 hours unpaid work, or serve the prison sentence and pay £1,200 in compensation.

The judge said the officer should get thousands of pounds in compensation, but Smith, who earns £700 a month as a chef, would never be in a position to pay that.

Inspector Mark Henderson, of York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This case demonstrates the dangers that police officers are confronted with when trying to do their jobs out in the community.

“The assault on PC Brownridge was a very serious offence and as a result of the significant injuries he sustained, he remains unable to do his job and will be off work for some time.

“It is a relief that the case has reached a conclusion and PC Brownridge can concentrate on making a full recovery and return to active duties as soon as possible.”

Prosecuting, Katherine Robinson said the policeman told colleagues he had never felt such excruciating pain as he did on New Year’s Eve.

For Smith, Steven Crossley said his client was full of remorse and bitterly regretted his actions, which were out of character. He had not intended to break the policeman’s leg.