In another incident, he kicked out a police officer’s face causing them to bite their tongue, the court heard
Ian Hunt admitted affray, dangerous driving, failing to provide a breath specimen and causing criminal damage. He also admitted assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty and possessing cocaine(Image: Hull Live)
A “wild” and aggressive cocaine user angrily attacked random people, including a doctor, near Hull Royal Infirmary – forcing the terrified victims to take refuge inside an ambulance in a desperate bid to escape. Fired-up troublemaker Ian Hunt was “all over the place and bouncing around” when he confronted the doctor and his colleague without warning, raised his clenched fists and lashed out, Hull Crown Court heard.
Hunt, 38, of Brocklebank Court, Preston, east of Hull, admitted affray, dangerous driving, failing to provide a breath specimen and causing criminal damage on November 19. He also admitted assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty and possessing cocaine on December 13.
Jazmine Lee, prosecuting, said that, at nearly 5pm on November 19, Hunt’s ex-girlfriend contacted police to say that he turned up at her home in a blue Peugeot car and started destroying her garden with a plank of wood. She saw him throw a bicycle and bits of wood at the house. Damage was caused to a fence and door.
He behaved erratically and seemed to be under the influence of drugs. The police were again alerted a short while later, this time about Hunt being in Argyle Street, very close to Hull Royal Infirmary.
A doctor was walking with a colleague when Hunt approached the two men with clenched fists while appearing to be under the influence of substances. He punched the doctor before attacking the other man, grabbing him by the throat and punching him.
He assaulted other people nearby. He looked “wild” and he was “all over the place and bouncing around”. Hunt punched a man in the face, causing his nose to bleed and his lip to swell. “They had to take shelter in a nearby ambulance,” said Miss Lee.
Hunt got in his car and began to drive erratically, including on the wrong side of the road, and confronted other vehicles in the street. The car mounted the kerb and crashed into several other vehicles.
Hunt drove down Anlaby Road, Selby Street and Hessle Road and he tried to undertake by driving into what were parking spaces. A police armed response unit was sent and Hunt was asked to pull over on Hessle Road.
He did so and he was arrested in his car. After being taken into custody, he was asked to provide a breath specimen but he refused to do so. He swore and said: “Get my solicitors here now.”
Just over three weeks later, on December 13, Hunt became aggressive at a Christmas party at a hotel in Willerby. He caused a disturbance at the party and complaints were made to the manager, who asked Hunt to leave.
Hunt continued being aggressive and the manager guided him outside. Hunt shouted at him: “Who do you think you are? I could do you.” The police were called and, when they arrived, two small bags of cocaine were found. Hunt was put into a police vehicle but he deliberately kicked out at an officer’s face, causing the officer to bite on his tongue. He called a female officer a “sl*g” and was threatening and abusive generally.
Hunt had convictions for 33 previous offences, including being jailed in February 2012 for two years for three assaults. He was jailed in 2013 for three years for assault causing actual bodily harm and he was jailed in October 2022 for 21 months for assault causing actual bodily harm.
Amber Hobson, mitigating, said that before the latest offences, Hunt had been out of trouble since 2022. He had worked as a forklift driver. Hunt had suffered problems and he had tried to access help.
His behaviour was impulsive. “He knows he needs some support,” said Miss Hobson. “He has been taking steps to improve himself. He has freed himself from his alcohol addiction.
“He stopped using cocaine in January this year. He has struggled with his substance misuse and he has struggled to rid himself of substance misuse. He is genuinely remorseful.
“He recognises and is able to articulate that his actions were appalling. He is absolutely disgusted with himself. He is sorry about what happened. He wants to go back and change things.”
Hunt, who had been on bail, was jailed for two years and two-and-a-half months. He was banned from driving for two years and one month and he must pass an extended retest before he can drive legally again.
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