A drunk teenager drove off in his gran’s car, crashed into a village clock and then broke a police man’s jaw who was trying to protect a paramedic from attack.
Anthony James Machauly Cooper, 19, from Saltney is facing jail after he was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm, violent behaviour, drink driving and criminal damage after he went on a rampage on August 28.
Flintshire magistrates court heard how Cooper had called his grandmother for help after he collided with a Penyffordd resident’s car as she reversed out of her drive at about 10pm.
But when she arrived Cooper of Eaton Grove got into the driver’s seat and drove off after she left her keys in the ignition.
Shortly afterwards he crashed into Penyfford’s Millennium Tower.
Police and ambulance crews arrived, but Cooper Saltney, became aggressive and shouted at a paramedic, said prosecutor Rhian Jackson.
PC Ian Tapley feared he was going to attack the medic and grabbed hold of Cooper’s wrist.
Cooper then aimed a flurry of punches at PC Tapley as he wrestled to restrain him, also damaging his police radio.
The officer suffered a broken jaw, which required surgery and a plate inserted. He was left with other injuries including a swollen lip, a cut knee and bruised thumb, Ms Jackson added.
As a result PC Tapley is currently unable to chew, has lost weight, has a permanent facial scar from the surgery, is on strong pain killers and also lost a tooth in the attack.
“He placed himself between Cooper and the paramedic to protect him from harm. The officer is in pain all the time and is on opiate based medication to cope with it.”
At Wrexham police station, a breath test found Cooper to be twice the legal alcohol limit. He then threw punches at a sergeant at the police station.
Richard Thomas, defending, said the case should be sent to the crown court.
The court heard he had no previous convictions and a pre-sentence report was requested..
Magistrates disqualified Cooper from driving and sent the case to Mold Crown Court where he will be sentenced on Thursday September 27.
He was granted unconditional bail.
