Why it matters: Kieron Wright, of Fonnereau Road, bit, spat at, kicked and twisted the arms of officers who were responding to reports of his initial attack on road workers in Handford Road. One officer required hospital treatment after being bitten.
The details: Wright appeared before Ipswich Magistrates' Court on Friday, 7 November, where he was sentenced after pleading guilty to eight offences: six counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker, one count of assault by beating, and one count of using racially aggravated or abusive words with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
The charges relate to an incident that occurred at around 01:55 on Wednesday, 8 October on Handford Road in Ipswich, where police were called to reports that a road worker had been punched on the chin and another road worker had been subjected to racially aggravated abuse.
The worker who was punched was fortunately uninjured following the attack.
Officers arrived at the scene within minutes and Wright was located nearby in Yarmouth Road shortly afterwards and arrested.
Whilst detaining Wright, four officers were assaulted, including by being bitten, spat at, kicked in the groin and having an arm twisted.
Another officer was spat at whilst Wright was transported to custody and a sixth officer was kicked at Martlesham Police Investigation Centre.
What they're saying: Chief Inspector Andy Watkins, local policing commander for South Suffolk, said: "Kieron Wright's actions in the early hours of that Wednesday morning were disgusting and totally inexcusable."
"Without any provocation he attacked a road worker and racially abused another – these were two innocent people going about their work who should expect to do this free of any form of harassment or assault," he added.
"Not content with that, he then proceeded to assault six police officers who were also just doing their job. Assaults on police officers is becoming an all too regular occurrence – it is important to remember that these are the people who are out there 24/7 to protect the public and frequently run towards danger."
Councillor Paul West, cabinet member for Ipswich, operational highways and flooding, said: "There is absolutely no excuse for abuse. Whether it's physical, verbal or racial, we will not tolerate it. What happened on Handford Road was completely unacceptable and deeply upsetting for everyone involved, and I trust that the sentence handed down will serve as a clear warning to anyone considering similar behaviour."
The bottom line: Wright pleaded guilty to all eight offences at his first appearance before magistrates on Thursday, 9 October. Chief Inspector Watkins said: "At least Wright had the decency to admit his offences and I hope that the sentence he has received will act as a deterrent to others who may be minded to behave in the same way."
