A MAN who punched a police officer in the jaw in Chester, chipping the officer's front tooth, has "just, but only just" been spared an immediate jail term.

Joel Miller, 22, of Bryn Crescent, Rhuddlan, Rhyl, had previously pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to punching PC Connor Shortall on the night of February 1, assaulting PC Mark Bryce and racially abusing PC Kris Aston when in custody.

Miller sat with his head bowed and his head in his hand as CCTV footage was played at Chester Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 7, of the attack, which happened on the Eastgate Rows above Ernest Jones at 2.40am.

In the CCTV footage, Miller threw a single hard punch at PC Shortall as his friend was being handcuffed. The officer was left shaking his head but continued the arrest, while PC Bryce ran after Miller and arrested him at ground level.

Miller pushed and shoved PC Bryce during the arrest while verbally abusing him.

Further footage, captured at Blacon Custody Suite that same night, was played to the court and showed Miller making several racial and homophobic comments at officers.

To one officer, he was heard saying he was a "f***ing p**f," while he called PC Aston a "P**i paedo". He was also shown spitting and headbutting the window of his cell.

Adam Warner, prosecuting, told the court Miller's behaviour was clearly done in drink and asked for compensation towards the police officers.

A probation report expressed concerns that Miller could not explain his behaviour on the night so could not pinpoint what had triggered the attack.

He had one previous conviction and one caution on his record.

The report recommended an anti-aggression and anti-racism probation course provided in Wales.

Defending, Stephen Coupe accepted the incident was "extremely serious", but "there could not be a sharper contrast" with the man in the CCTV footage and the "well-mannered, quiet" man he spoke to today.

Miller had been on a works night where there was a free bar and he "imbibed excessively".

He was a bricklayer and his job was in jeopardy as a result of the offence.

District Judge Nicholas Sanders, sentencing Miller, remarked on Miller bringing a bag with him: "I can see you have come prepared for a custodial sentence.

"That was a vicious and unprovoked attack, and your behaviour in the police station was disgusting; it was racist and homophobic.

"The good news is you have pleaded guilty on the first occasion, and it is clear from reading a reference that this is something which is genuinely out of character.

"I am just, but only just, persuaded to give you a suspended sentence."

Miller was handed a 26-week prison term, suspended for two years. He must complete 30 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement to include a thinking skills programme.

He was also placed on a 12-month curfew, meaning he will spend the first six months at his home address every night between 7pm-6am, and the last six months at his home address every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 7pm-6am.

"For that part you will reflect on what you did," DJ Sanders told Miller.

In addition, Miller must pay £750 compensation to PC Shortall, £200 compensation to PC Aston and £100 compensation to PC Byrne.

He must also pay a £115 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

DJ Sanders warned him, if there was any breach of the suspended sentence, he would deal with the sentencing of the case and there would be "no second chances".

"You came very close [to immediate custody] - learn from this, and move on," DJ Sanders added.

Speaking after the case, Chief Inspector Carlos Brunes, of Chester Local Policing Unit, said: “I am glad that Miller has now been dealt with by the courts for physically assaulting two of my officers and racially abusing another one of them.

“I hope that this case deters others from committing similar offences.

“The nature of policing inevitably requires officers to deal with violent and challenging situations but, regardless of the situation, being assaulted by a member of the public we serve should never be seen as an acceptable ‘part of the job’.

“To assault a police officer or any other emergency service worker is to attack society itself.

“When officers are assaulted it has a far wider effect than people may think.

“The officer may have to take time off work or be placed on restricted duties whilst they recover.

“Such absences and restrictions have a significant impact on the resourcing of incidents and the service we provide to the community.

“They increase pressures on other officers too, due to the additional responsibilities they have to take on to ensure that we meet the needs of the public.

“Assaults also often cause distress to family members, particularly when the officer suffers psychological or visible physical injuries.”