Police tasered a Newtown man who later lashed out and hit an officer hours after he tried to get himself sectioned by hospital staff.

Shaun Johnson, 40, had phoned police after threatening to jump out of a window at his Penyparc Flats home in Lon Derw, Trehafren during the early hours of February 24.

Welshpool Magistrates' Court heard that he had been using cocaine the night before, became unwell, and tried to get mental health support by visiting Newtown Police Station then the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital but was told there was nothing wrong with him.

Johnson, who has 12 convictions from 28 offences, was ordered to serve a 12-month community order with a nine-month drug rehabilitation requirement and pay almost £500 to the court after pleading guilty to assault by beating an emergency worker and common assault on an emergency worker.

County Times: Penyparc Flats, Trehafren, Newtown Penyparc Flats, Trehafren, Newtown (Image: Google Street View)

Helen Tench, prosecuting, said Johnson had told police that he had been "biting everyone, there was a ruckus and he was going to jump out of a window".

After arriving at Penyparc Flats, officers found a man near a window and it was "unclear what was his intention and if he had a weapon", the court was told.

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When Johnson tried to open a police van’s door, an officer drew out a Taser, red dotted him, telling the 40-year-old to get on his knees and place his hands behind his head to be handcuffed.

Mrs Tench added: "He shouted 'boom', stood up and told the officers 'I have had f***ing enough, come on you f***ers'. Johnson then "ran at speed" towards the officer."

Frightened, the officer discharged a Taser shouting “Taser, Taser” and his body stiffened and fell to the floor. He later "lashed out" at the arresting officer, hitting her left jaw which left her in pain for two hours.

During a police interview, Johnson said he phoned the police "to get arrested and spend the night in the cell". He added that any physical contact with police was accidental.

Robert Hanratty, mitigating for Johnson, told the court there were mental health issues involved, adding: "Mr Johnson felt he was in meltdown and was desperate for help. He went to the police station, and they did nothing with him."

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“Mr Johnson went into a state of panic and contacted police seeking help and attention. He certainly wanted police to assist him," Mr Hanratty said.

"The last thing on his mind was actually to harm them he very much regrets that he caught the PC's hand and regrets putting her in fear of being attacked which resulted in being Tasered.”

A pre-sentence report read in court by probation Julian Davies stated that Johnson had apologised for his behaviour.

"Mr Johnson tells me he never meant to scare or hurt the officers, and says he is sorry for that,” he said.