A man high on magic mushrooms went on a rampage in his hometown. Gareth Williamson trashed a pub, a shop, a house and a car during his wrecking spree – and attacked the cops sent to arrest him.
The 38-year-old, who is believed to be under the influence of monkey dust at the time, set upon the officers as they tried to detain him over his crimes. He also threatened a man with an offensive weapon.
A court heard his crime spree started at 8.20pm on September 25 last year. He damaged a Vauxhall Insignia, causing £300 damage to the vehicle, then threatened a man with a bar at 8.40pm.
At 9pm, he went to his old home and damaged an £8 wall light, before entering Bargain Booze and smashing the store up while topless and carrying a white pole.
He broke bottles of spirits, with the damage he caused costing £1,605, Stoke-on-Trent Live reports. Prosecutor David Bennett explained Williamson’s carnage during a hearing at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
He went to The Crown and Cushion pub, again with no top, and wielding the pole. He entered a staff only area and kitchen. He threw a kettle on to the bar causing it to be scratched.
Mr Bennett said: “Police entered the pub and attempted to restrain the defendant. One officer was head-butted to the face and bitten to his right forearm. He arrested the defendant.
“The officer had reddening to his left cheek and his skin was broken on his forearm. The defendant continued to struggle despite being handcuffed. Another officer was bitten on her arm and was left with a bruise.”
Mr Bennett said police were sent to the Royal Stoke University Hospital due to reports of the defendant being under the influence on November 24, 2022.
Mr Bennett said of the incidents, in Biddulph, Staffordshire: “One of the security guards reported he had been assaulted. The defendant was arrested but it was not proceeded with.
“The defendant himself sustained injuries on his detention by the security officers and required treatment in the accident and emergency department. The defendant’s behaviour became more and more erratic. He became aggressive towards an officer.
“He began walking around. The officer tried to restrain him. The defendant began growling at him. He was shouting and swearing. He pushed forward with force into the officer causing his thumb to be bent backwards.”
Williamson, of no fixed address, who has convictions for 48 offences, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, four charges of criminal damage, making threats with an offensive weapon and two charges of assaulting an emergency worker.
Paul Cliff, mitigating, said Williamson accepts he was in an agitated state at the hospital. He said: “He was acting in a reckless way and resisting the attention of the officer.” He said September 25 was a ‘day of lunacy’.
Mr Cliff added: “He had taken magic mushrooms that day and accepts he was affected by them. He has asked me to apologise to the court and those who witnessed his behaviour and were subjected to his behaviour on September 25.
“In the cold light of day he is embarrassed to behave in that way in his hometown. Drugs have negatively impacted on his life. He held down a job at an engineering firm for six years but he slipped into addiction.”
Judge Trevor Meegan said: “On November 24, 2022 you were under the influence of something, they thought monkey dust. You were erratic in your behaviour.
“You pushed against an officer recklessly causing his thumb to be forced back. He had to wear a plaster cast for 12 weeks. September 25 was one evening of lawlessness on your behalf.” Williamson was jailed for two years for the offences.