McDonald's assault suspect put female Castleford police officer in chokehold
A thug put a female police officer in a headlock and choked her when she tried to arrest him on suspicion of assaulting a McDonald’s staff member.
Despite the incident with the officer being caught on a police body-worn camera, Nicholas Leggett refused to accept wrongdoing.
He was found guilty of assaulting an emergency worker after a trial at Leeds Magistrates’ Court.
The case was moved up to Leeds Crown Court for sentencing this week, but Leggett was spared immediate custody.
A call to the police had been made at 12.30am on April 30, 2024 about an alleged assault on a staff member at a McDonald’s restaurant.
Leggett was stopped by police a short time later on Park Road in Castleford by the lone officer.
She told him he was being arrested but he began to protest.
She tried to put his hands in cuffs but he began waving his arms about, prosecutor Robert Galley told the court.
He then put his left arm around her neck and they both fell to the floor, where he kept her in a chokehold.
She was left gasping for air, but was able to hit her panic button. Luckily, another officer arrived on the scene and was forced to punch Leggett to get him to release the woman.
During his police interview, 36-year-old Leggett claimed he was acting in self defence.
A victim impact statement from the officer was read to the court in which she said the incident had badly dented her confidence.
Leggett, of Deighton Road, Wetherby, has previous convictions for motoring offences.
Mitigating, Andrew Pickin said he maintains his innocence but regrets the effect his behaviour had on the officer.
Judge Robin Mairs said the officer had been “entirely reasonable and decent” with him and that his reaction was “completely needless”.
He said: “Although you say you are sorry you had a trial.”
He said it was “crystal” clear what had taken place after viewing the body-worn camera footage.
He gave him a 20-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 180 hours of unpaid work and five rehabilitation days with probation.
He was also ordered to pay more than £500 compensation to the officer.
No proceedings were pursued over the alleged McDonald’s incident.