Newport Man Jailed for Spitting at Officer After Drug Rampage

A Newport man high on drugs who spat in a female custody officer’s face after assaulting police constables and attempting arson has been sentenced to 29 weeks in prison. 🚔

Kieran McKenzie, 33, of School Lane, Newport, was found hiding in an attic during a police callout when his violent behaviour began. The defendant became “aggressive and abusive” towards officers before using a lighter to try to set fire to loft insulation.

Police were forced to get a hosepipe from neighbours to douse McKenzie with water. He then kicked a hole in the ceiling and “lashed out” at two constables with his feet after being handcuffed.

His behaviour continued at Ystrad Mynach police station, where he spat in the face of a female custody detention officer, with his spit landing on her chin. He also headbutted the cage of the police van during transport.

McKenzie admitted three counts of assaulting an emergency worker and two counts of criminal damage from the March 19 incident.

Judge Wayne Beard told Cardiff Crown Court: “Police found you hiding in the attic and you were threatening to set fire to the insulation with a lighter. When you were arrested, you lashed out at two constables.”

He added: “You then spat in the face of a custody detention officer and it hit her on the chin. You were aggressive from start to finish.”

Defence barrister Sol Hartley said McKenzie had not taken any drugs whilst in prison and asked for appropriate credit for his guilty pleas.

With time already served, McKenzie should be released from prison immediately. He must also pay a £187 victim surcharge. ⚖️