A YOUNG Kendal man spat at two police officers and kicked one in the head after turning violent at his family house.

Twenty-year-old Tyler Gilpin was heavily intoxicated when he returned home on the evening of July 23. His violent behaviour - against a background of mental health issues - prompted relatives to call police.

One officer who attended found him “incoherent with drink” and slurring his words, Carlisle Crown Court was told.

Forming the view he couldn’t be restrained, the PC concluded force was required as Gilpin’s erratic and violent conduct continued.

“He kicked out at the officer’s head while he was stood on the stairs, and connected with a glancing blow,” said prosecutor Jamie Baxter of barefooted Gilpin. “As he was being handcuffed he spat towards the officer.”

Gilpin tried to bite that PC and also police reinforcements. Limb restraints were used and he was taken into custody. “He spat towards (a second PC) which hit him on his neck,” said Mr Baxter, who referred to that officer‘s impact statement.

“He has never met anyone who has had such disregard as to spit at him, particularly in the current climate - clearly referring to the pandemic.”

Gilpin, of Thirlmere Road, Kendal, admitted two emergency worker assaults at Barrow magistrates’ court on November 18, receiving immediate and consecutive 16-week prison sentences for each.

His appeal against the severity of that punishment was heard on Tuesday (December 1) at the crown court when it emerged he had assaulted police in the past.

Gilpin’s barrister, Michael Blakey, said he had been diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum and with Asperger syndrome, and found a first taste of custody “very difficult”.

“There can be no excuse for this appellant’s disgraceful behaviour,” said Mr Blakey, who insisted Gilpin was sorry for the latest crimes. “I accept, and he must accept, these offences either individually or together cross the custody threshold. The issue as far as he is concerned is whether the sentence can be suspended.”

The appeal panel did reduce the overall jail term length from 32 weeks to 16. But Judge Lawrence McDonald, noting the offences were “primarily driven” by alcohol, concluded: “In our judgement it would not be right and proper to suspend the sentence.”