CALDICOT MAN THREATENED POLICE WITH TASER AT CHEPSTOW TESCO
A MAN shouted ‘I’ll f***ing shoot you’ as he pointed a Taser at a police officer’s face.Prosecutor Peter Donnison told Cardiff Crown Court that police were called to reports of an alleged assault at Tesco in Chepstow on May 22.
Officers spoke to Patrick Drake outside the shop, and he became “increasingly agitated” and attempted to resist when they went to arrest him.
As the officer reached for his handcuffs, Drake wriggled free and attempted to escape.
The officer grabbed hold of him and they both toppled to the ground, with the officer’s equipment falling out of his tactical vest as a result of the impact.
Drake managed to snatch up the officer’s Taser and pointed it at his face.
As he did so, he said: ‘I will f***ing shoot you with it’ and ‘Listen, listen, I’ll shoot you now’.
The officer feared he would be blinded if Drake discharged the Taser directly into his face.
The officer then used PAVA spray on Drake, which incapacitated him, allowing the officer to disarm and arrest him.
Drake was taken to The Grange hospital after reporting difficulty breathing due to the spray.
He was arrested there and apologized to the officer during caution.
Drake pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
The court heard he has previous convictions for 51 offences, including assaults, battery, and attempted robberies in 2016 and 2020, with the most recent being an attempted robbery at Portskewett’s Premier Stores armed with a knife, which was foiled when the owner threw an electric heater at him.
He was described as remorseful and undertaking courses to address his issues.
Judge Daniel Williams sentenced him to two years and four months in jail.
The incident was described as “extremely traumatic” by the officer involved and made him feel “completely vulnerable.”
