Man guilty of assaults and drink-driving says prison will help sort him out

A man who committed 14 offences told a court that prison was the best place for him.

Appearing via video-link, William Turpin, 25, of Boat Lane, Hoveringham, told Nottingham magistrates it would be the best way to stop him reoffending.

He said he had already received help from psychiatrists while on remand in HMP Nottingham.

Turpin was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison.

The court was told he was in the Magna Charta, Lowdham, when he assaulted a married couple after the wife told him he shouldn’t be abusive to staff.

In a separate incident, Turpin’s former partner was in the Admiral Rodney pub, Southwell, with some friends, including David Atherley.

Mrs Rosemary Wilde, for the prosecution, said the group ignored Turpin but he appeared in front of them and hit Mr Atherley in the face and on the head.

On February 1, 2015, police received a call from Turpin saying he had breached his curfew.

“When the police arrived at Turpin’s house he denied calling them,” said Mrs Wilde.

“Turpin got up and started to walk towards the officer and squared up to him.”

Mrs Wilde said Turpin snatched back and released the officer’s grip off his handcuffs and lunged at him.

“They both fell on the sofa and Turpin had his hands on the officer’s head,” said Mrs Wilde.

The court was told Turpin had not intended to cause the officer any harm, but said he was keeping them hostage until they agreed to arrest him and take him away from the house.

Defending, Mr Matthew Little said: “Turpin believes he has mental health issues and volunteered for himself to be sectioned in 2013 due to difficulties but hasn’t actually been diagnosed with anything.

“This paints a picture of a man who has started out life with qualifications and had a job for a number of years.

“The breakdown of a long-term relationship has caused various difficulties. Hard drugs and alcohol have been an issue.

“He feels like prison is best to try to sort himself out and to get out of trouble.”

Presiding magistrate Mrs Shona Crump said: “Prison is the best place for you, so you can sort yourself out.”

Turpin admitted two counts of drink-driving, one of them connected to the Lowdham incident, driving without insurance or a test certificate, four counts of assault, one of assault on police and breaking a bail condition.

Four motoring offences were proved in absence.

An additional four weeks were added to Turpin’s sentence to be served consecutively, because of outstanding court fines of £1,500, meaning he will serve 30 weeks in total.

He was banned from driving for 22 months and will have 18 points on his licence when it is returned.

A restraining order was imposed preventing him from contacting his former partner.

Turpin was also ordered to pay £80 costs.