Man’s ‘tantrum’ as police stopped him (From Craven Herald)

Man’s ‘tantrum’ as police stopped him

5:29pm Thursday 18th October 2012 in News

When Ashley Carroll was stopped by police for the umpteenth time as he drove through Skipton, he had a tantrum, magistrates were told.

Believing he was being unfairly targeted and keen to uphold appearances in front of his girlfriend, Carroll, 22, was aggressive and obstructive towards the two officers when he was stopped in Keighley Road at 8pm on September 12.

He was eventually arrested after refusing to calm down and police searched his vehicle, discovering a knuckle-duster in the driver’s door compartment, Skipton magistrates heard on Friday.

Carroll, who admitted being in possession of an offensive weapon, told magistrates he had not bought it as a weapon, but more as an “ornament”.

In mitigation, John Mewies said Carroll, of Willow Way, Skipton, had been keeping a tally of the number of times he had been stopped by police and on September 12 it had added up to 27.

“There was a young lady in the van and he accepts that his behaviour was affected by her presence,” said Mr Mewies. “He was angry about being stopped and since passing his driving test had been keeping a tally of how many times.

“He felt he was being targeted for no reason.”

Mr Mewies said the fact that police had used the word “tantrum” to describe Carroll’s reaction was significant in that he had behaved more like a child and had not been a serious risk to the officers.

Magistrates told Carroll that police had a right to stop anyone, even though he might find it excessive.

They sentenced him to a 12-month community order with 100 hours’ unpaid work. He was also fined £100 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £15 victims surcharge.