Other officers had to use their Tasers
Paul Ashurst was jailed at Hull Crown Court(Image: Hull Live)
An aggressive troublemaker suddenly lunged towards a policeman with a knife shortly after a nasty confrontation with his girlfriend became violent and he repeatedly hit her while she was on the floor. Paul Ashurst had already narrowly avoided prison after an earlier menacing incident in which he warned a woman that he had only just met: “I could snap your neck.”
But his luck finally ran out at Hull Crown Court when he was jailed following the latest in a series of violent offences. Ashurst, 37, of Rothesay Close, off Southcoates Lane, east Hull, admitted assaulting a woman and threatening a police officer with a blade on December 28.
Julia Baggs, prosecuting, said Ashurst was in a relationship with the woman. They were at her home when an argument broke out and he became aggressive. She ended up on the floor and he landed a number of blows to her face and body, causing bruises to her arm, shoulder and hip.
The police were alerted and an officer went to the house and into the living room. “The defendant was sitting on the sofa,” said Miss Baggs.
“The officer started to speak to the defendant and began the arrest of him but, before he could explain all of that, the defendant lunged forward towards the police officer, holding a six-inch kitchen knife. It was obviously seized.”
Three other officers came to assist in arresting Ashurst. “Initially, he was compliant and seemed to be putting his hands behind his back but he became resistant,” said Miss Baggs.
“Other officers had to use their Tasers.” Ashurst was subdued to stop him using the knife. “It could have been much worse,” said Miss Baggs.
“The officer kicked the knife away to stop the defendant from grabbing it again.” During police interview, Ashurst said that he did not intend to hurt any officers.
The court heard that Ashurst had convictions for 10 previous offences. They included two offences of assault in July last year, when he was given a 90-day alcohol monitoring order and 15 days’ rehabilitation, and assaulting a police constable as an emergency worker on August 7, when he was fined £200.
On August 19 last year, Ashurst was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence and 150 hours’ unpaid work for an offence of intentional strangulation on August 27, 2023. The court heard that day that a drink-fuelled night out turned nasty when Ashurst suddenly warned an unsuspecting woman “I could snap your neck” before strangling her during a “terrifying” confrontation in her home.
They had only just met that night and got talking to each other while out socialising but things went badly wrong when they later ended up at her home. While there, Ashurst tried to kiss her but she pushed him away.
He told the woman: “I could snap your neck” and she was left frightened but she did not want to show it, said Miss Baggs. The woman phoned her partner.
She went back into the room and Ashurst told her again: “I could snap your neck.” He was on his knees while she sat on a bean bag. He strangled her but she “clawed at his eyes and nose” – causing an injury – but he finally let go. He was arrested the same day.
Maya Hanson, mitigating, said that Ashurst had complied with the suspended sentence and the earlier community order but he did commit further offences. “He understands that a custodial sentence is the only realistic outcome today,” said Miss Hanson.
“He doesn’t seek to excuse his behaviour. He had been making efforts to move his life forward. He is mortified by his behaviour. He takes responsibility for his actions. He wishes to take the consequences of his actions.”
Ashurst told the court: “I have made a massive mistake. I can only apologise for it. If I could, I would apologise to the officer in person. All I can do is apologise.”
Ashurst was jailed for two years and three months. The prison term included a consecutive one year after part of the suspended sentence was activated.
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