Siblings guilty of police assault

THREE members of a family assaulted a police and used threatening and abusive language.

Jason Dewar (36) of Crossbank House, Oldham, Teneesha Dewar (23), of Ashton, and Amakae Dewar (25), of Bainborough Clough, Alt, denied assaulting PCs Nicholson and Sunderland and breaching the Public Order Act.

Oldham magistrates heard that police had received a report of “youths causing annoyance” at a bus stop in Abbeyhills Road.

Teneesha was waiting for a bus to go home after visiting her mother. Her sister and friends joined her for company and safety.

Prosecutor Darren Hughes said Teneesha was given the chance to give the officer her details but refused, then swore and shouted at him before he arrested her.

Amakae, who arrived after hearing what had happened to his sister, shouted and swore at the officer, who called for assistance. Amakae ran towards PCs Nicholson and Sunderland and punched the two officers.

While Amakae was on the floor being arrested, Teneesha assaulted PC Nicholson and her brother Jason grabbed the officer in a “bear hug”.

Mr Hughes said: “PC Nicholson said he felt intimidated by the group. This wasn’t another run of the mill confrontation.”

Richard Williams, defending, said PC Nicholson had asked Teneesha to identify herself but she refused as she was simply waiting at a bus stop to go home. “It escalated from there,” he said, adding, “My clients feel somewhat aggrieved. It was a happy, family afternoon. Nobody was in a gang, nobody was drinking - no trouble whatsoever.”

All three were sentenced to a 12-month community order. Amakae was ordered to do 250 hours for the assault and 250 hours for breaching the Public Order Act. Teneesha was ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work and Jason 120 hours. They were each ordered to pay £200 costs and £25 in compensation to PC Nicholson.