Jailed: Shrewsbury man attacked police officers in cell

Telford Magistrates Court was told that Arron Luke Wilcox had fought with the two officers as they tried to remove his trousers in Shrewsbury police station, believing the defendant to be at risk of self-harming.

Mrs Abigail Hall, prosecuting, said Wilcox had swung a punch and grabbed one officer in a headlock, leading them both to seek medical treatment after the fight.

Wilcox, 25, of Bridgeford Way, Shrewsbury, had been arrested on March 27 for breaching a non-molestation order on the day that he had received it, by texting his former partner.

Mrs Hall said that Wilcox had texted the victim saying "Ring the cops and get them to nick me. I'm going to do something stupid again and it's your fault again."

The court was told that the defendant was fearful he would come to her address where she was living with three young children.

Wilcox also sent a message saying he would give her a reason to "act like a scared wife", the court was told.

He was found guilty of one count of breaching the order and two counts of assaulting a police officer at a trial held in his absence on May 15.

Wilcox later admitted breaching a 12-month conditional discharge given to him for damaging the victim's phone and breaching bail requirements.

Wilcox received a two concurrent eight-week prison sentences for assaulting the two officers. He received a further eight weeks for breaching the non-molestation order, plus four weeks for criminal damage and one week for breaching bail.

He was also ordered to pay £150 court costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

For Wilcox, Mr Paul Nicholas said the defendant suffered from autism and learning difficulties and could not read or write.

He said Wilcox was "a man of limited means and understanding of modern life" who had struggled to understand the molestation order when it had been served on him and had reacted angrily as it had come as a surprise.

Mr Nicholas added that the victim had responded to texts and had been texting the defendant right up until he received the molestation order.

He said that since the incident the situation had been explained to the defendant, who now lived with his mother.

"There's been no repetition, he's now moved on," he said.

He said Wilcox had been bullied in prison during the time he spent there on bail offences because of his learning difficulties and added that he would struggle in the environment.