'Disgusting' man threatened two cops with a knife - and spat at another - before shoplifting spree
Valentine’s previous court hearing was called off because he was inebriated, the court heard.
A man who drunkenly threatened two police officers with a knife - and spat at a third - went on a shoplifting spree after being released from custody, a court has been told.
Michael Valentine, 42 from Sparrow Close, Waterlooville, pleaded guilty to a plethora of crimes at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court this morning (Wednesday, June 3), including threatening persons with an offensive weapon, assaulting a constable, and two counts of shoplifting.
He had already drawn the ire of the court earlier in the morning, interrupting another case as he stood by the door and shouted: “How much longer then? I ain’t waiting around here forever.”
District Judge David Robinson was then told that Valenine had turned up drunk to his last hearing; solicitor Bridget O’Hagan said he had “definitely consumed some alcohol” before sentencing, but Valentine himself insisted he was sober.
Once he arrived in the dock, the court heard how police were called to his home at 11.49pm on December 19 last year, following reports of anti-social behaviour from a neighbour. Upon arrival, police could not enter the property, so knocked on a kitchen window. At this point, Valentine waves a small knife at them, and said they would “have it”.
He then went and brandished a kitchen knife, and stepped outside into the back garden with it - at which point he was tased by an officer. Valentine was then taken to the Eastern Police Investigation Centre in Airport Service Road, Hilsea, where he spat at a third officer who later branded the attack as “disgusting”.
Having later been released from police custody, in January this year Valentine started targeting a convenience store, namely Tesco. The court was told that on January 22, he stole alcohol to the value of £10.50, and on February 5 stole meat, cheese, alcohol and household goods, to the value of £144.
Valentine pleaded guilty to all charges.
In mitigation, Ms O’Hagan said: “I’m asking you to consider a suspended sentence order. He’s willing to work with probation, and they are willing tto work with him.
“The threats are made inside the house. He doesn’t charge at the officers, he was drunk, and he has mental health difficulties. He was tased before anything else once he stepped outside.
“All of these matters are also subject to early guilty pleas, and there have been no furtther offences since.”
Sentencing, Judge Robinson said: “I’ve considered the representations and I’m going to commit you for sentence. These offences are so serious that the crown court should sentence you for these matters.”
Valentine will now be sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, July 3.