A MAN who bit a policeman so hard he passed out as well as urinating in a police van has been sentenced by a court in Cornwall. 

Anthony Shaw, aged 38, of Redruth, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Friday, February 3 on one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of criminal damage. 

The offence took place on December 12, 2021, outside of a Co-op in Redruth when Shaw was spotted lying on his back outside of the store by an off-duty police officer.

Upon going over to assist Shaw, the officer soon realised that he was under the influence of alcohol before being approached by an elderly couple who asked whether they could help the officer get Shaw out of the road.

Shortly after this, Shaw's demeanor changed and the officer advised the couple that he was getting 'fighty.'

The court heard that Shaw had asked: "Who the f**k are you?" before swinging his arm at the officer, who managed to evade it.

Shaw then fell onto a car and eventually they floor and the court heard how he proceeded to threaten the officer saying: "I'll f*****g kill you" as well as threatening to "rip his face off" and "cut his eyes out". 

The off-duty officer was able to retrain Shaw while 999 was called but, while he was doing so, Shaw bit his arm and maintained the grip of the bite for some time.

Police arrived to relieve the officer and arrested Shaw who, while in police custody, threatened to urinate on the floor of the police van.

After being warned he would be charged with criminal damage if he did, Shaw proceeded to carry out his threat and urinated in the police van.

The court was also told that the ferocity of the bite had caused the officer to pass out and eventually led to scarring on his arm. 

The following day, Shaw claimed he had no recollection of the incident and was eventually charged on March 11, 2022.

Shaw pleaded guilty to both charges.

During his sentencing, Judge Simon Carr told Shaw: "You're an alcoholic.

"If you drink again, you'll commit further offences. Take it from me, it's the alcohol

"This is your opportunity to address that."

When referring to the off-duty police officer, Judge Carr said: "Rather than walking past and leaving you, he tried to help you.

"You violently assaulted him and biting, a particularly unpleasant form of assault."

Judge Carr sentenced Shaw to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered he take part in a thinking skills program and rehabilitation activity for 20 days as well as abstain from alcohol for a period of 120 days.

No costs or compensation were ordered.

Judge Carr continued: "You breach that, you go to prison, simple as that.

"Stay out of trouble for the next two years, that's the end of the matter.

"Breach those terms and you will serve every day of that sentence."