Man launched attack on two police officers

Police were called to an address in Chandler Road at around 10.15pm on February 16 following reports that Darren Mortimer, 25, had assaulted his partner, who is eight months pregnant.

Hastings Magistrates Court heard that Mortimer, a carpenter, was not happy about the pregnancy and this had led to arguments between the couple, who already had a three-year-old son.

On the night of the assault, Mortimer had been at a friend’s house and returned home drunk.

He put his hands around his partner’s throat and told her ‘I hope you die’.

He went to hit her in the face with a pillow before pushing her by the shoulder into a window.

Jeremy King, prosecuting, said: “She threatened to call the police and he left, threatening to kill himself and yelling he was going to kill her.”

Police officers arrived at the address and Mortimer launched a “frenzied attack” against them.

He punched one officer in the head a number of times, causing a cut to his forehead and a swollen right eye.

Mortimer bit the second officer three times, breaking the skin.

Mr King said: “Mr Mortimer was taken to the hospital due to injuries sustained during his arrest and after being discharged he was taken into police custody.

“He answered ‘no comment’ to all questions.”

In a statement read out to the court, Mortimer’s wife said she was “really shocked” at his behaviour.

Mortimer had no previous convictions, although he had a reprimand for common assault and two cautions for assault in 2004 and 2006.

Mortimer pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife by beating, causing actual bodily harm to a police officer and assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty.

Aiden Harvey, defending, said: “He’s been married to this lady for 10 years and she said there had never been any violence in this relationship up until this point.

“He wanted one child and she fell pregnant and everything spiralled out of control that night.”

Mr Harvey pointed out that there was “no hatred” towards the couple’s unborn child.

He added: “They discussed this issue and they agreed to one child.

“This second came as a shock to him and he has bottled it up for months until it all came out this night.”

The case has been adjourned until March 11 for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

Mortimer was granted bail on the condition he lives at an address at Salisbury Rise in Bexhill and does not return to his home address in Chandler Road.

He must not directly or indirectly contact his wife, although he can receive incoming calls from her.

Magistrates have also said that he may attended the Conquest Hospital with her if she asks him to.