Thug with 200 previous offences who attacked Leeds officer promises to 'turn life around'

Michael Lancashire, who has been involved in a catalogue of previous altercations, had to be quelled with PAVA spray when officers attempted to detain him in Armley. Leeds Crown Court was told that they had been patrolling on the morning of September 8, 2022, when they came across Lancashire.

They stopped the 43-year-old for an unrelated matter but he became obstructive, prosecutor Christopher Dunn said. Having been placed in the police car, he kicked out at the officer and prevented him from closing the door. They called for back-up and restrained him on the floor as they waited, with Lancashire continuing to make threats against them.

He was eventually placed in the back of a police van but kicked out again. He was then PAVA sprayed and they were bale to get the van door shut. He later gave a no-comment interview.

Lancashire, of Burnsall Croft, Pinfold Lane, Armley, has 100 previous convictions for 208 offences, including numerous assaults. He admitted a single charge of assault on an emergency worker.

A probation report suggested drugs and alcohol were "at the root of his offending". The report read: "He accepts he was aggressive and said he was very sorry. He knows he has to help himself."

No further mitigation was offered by his barrister after Judge Andrew Stubbs KC said he would not lock him up.

He told Lancashire: "I have watched the [police body-worn] video and looked at your massive record of previous convictions. I wonder if we're being honest with each other, with you saying you will take this chance. The only alternative is to lock you up.

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"You were under the influence and your attitude was terrible. If you can turn your life around, we won't meet again. I might be daft giving you that chance but I am going to give you it."

He gave him a 12-month community order, with rehabilitation days, and a nine-month alcohol-treatment requirement. He also told him to enrol on the Thinking Skills programme to tackle his anger management issues.