Man attacked police officer and attempted to fire taser at him
The police officer needed hospital treatment after Mark Workman, 44, used the weapon to repeatedly attack
A man suffering from alcohol-induced psychosis wrestled a taser from a police officer's grip and attempted to taser him before using it to strike him repeatedly. The officer had to call for back up after his attacker took hold of the weapon, and later required hospital treatment.
Mark Workman, 44, was intoxicated and acting erratically when his distraught partner contacted the police and told them he was smashing up their house in Aberaman near Aberdare. There were concerns for the defendant's mental health and when officers arrived at the property on February 28, they were greeted by his father.
A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Thursday heard Workman told police his parents were "not his real mother and father" and he wanted to speak to the "real police". For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter.
Due to the defendant's demeanour, an ambulance was called, but Workman attempted to leave through the front door, but was prevented from doing so.
He then left through the back door and ran down the gravel path before smashing through a wooden gate.
Officers attempted to detain the defendant as he made his way into the street and the decision was made to withdraw a taser out of concern for Workman's welfare.
He refused to stop so the officer discharged the taser, which connected with Workman's leg and caused him to fall to the floor.
Prosecutor Emily Jermin said the officer instructed the defendant to roll onto his front but he stood up, and the taser was deployed a second time, again causing Workman to fall to the floor.
During a scuffle on the floor, the defendant was able to dislodge the officer's radio before becoming more aggressive and assaulting the officer.
He then grabbed hold of the taser from the officer's grasp and pointed it at the officer's face before pulling the trigger. Fortunately, the cartridges in the taser had been used so the weapon did not function.
Workman then began to punch the officer using the taser and did so several times, causing the officer injury to his eye, lips, chin, neck and behind his left ear. The officer also suffered a broken tooth.
Eventually, the defendant released himself from the officer's grip and again tried to fire the taser at him several times but he was unsuccessful.
The second officer at the scene called for back up during the incident and when more officers arrived, Workman was tasered and placed in handcuffs, as he tried to kick out.
Both officers suffered injury with the male officer taken to hospital and treated for concussion as well as receiving emergency root canal surgery.
Workman, of Clarence Street, Aberaman, later told officers he had no recollection of the incident, but said he had acted "out of order".
The defendant later pleaded guilty to two counts of making use of a firearm with intent, possessing a prohibited weapon, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and assaulting an emergency worker.
The court heard he has eight previous convictions for offences including inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and battery.
In mitigation, Owen Williams said his client had spent many years addicted to class A drugs, which he had overcome, but he continues to battle an addiction to alcohol.
He said his client had suffered an episode of alcohol induced psychosis and has underlying mental health issues which he is now addressing.
Sentencing, Judge Jeremy Jenkins said: "It's intolerable that police officers who do a very dangerous job on behalf of us all are assaulted when called upon to act in the course of their duty. The way you behaved that night was frightening for all to see."
Workman was sentenced to a total of four years imprisonment.