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Maidstone man tried to punch officer after police were called to domestic disturbance in Farleigh Lane

14:00, 29 April 2023

A man who had been arguing with his partner at their home later threatened a police officer and threw a punch at him as he was being arrested.

Anthony Bashford and his partner were at their property in Maidstone when the couple could be heard shouting at each other, so much so, the police were called by a member of the public who reported a domestic disturbance going on at the address.

Police were called to Farleigh Lane, near Maidstone, after reports of a domestic disturbance. Stock picture
Police were called to Farleigh Lane, near Maidstone, after reports of a domestic disturbance. Stock picture

When officers arrived at the scene and knocked on the door to see what was going on, they were confronted by Bashford and his girlfriend who both screamed at officers to go away shouting they were “not welcome” at their home.

As police tried to calm the situation down, 49-year-old Bashford threw a punch at PC Benjamin Jeffreys and began threatening and abusing him while resisting arrest.

He was eventually detained and taken to a police station and Bashford, of Farleigh Court, Farleigh Lane, Maidstone, was charged with threatening behaviour, assault with intent to resist arrest and obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty.

He admitted all three offences when he appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 17.

The court heard the force was called to the couple’s address in Maidstone on Saturday, April 15.

James Nichols, prosecuting, said: “A third party reported a domestic disturbance at the home and when police arrived both were screaming at the officers and said they were not welcome at their home.

Bashford appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court. Stock picture
Bashford appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court. Stock picture

“The defendant threw a punch and was making threats and abusing officers as they arrested him.

“His last conviction was a burglary in 2020 and he was jailed for seven months. There has been no offending since then.”

The court also heard Bashford was a former heroin user but had put that behind him and had stayed clear of any trouble since he came out of prison and his outburst to the police had been over in a flash.

Bashford was fined £200 in total for the offences and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80 and £85 costs.

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