Falkirk dad acted 'out of character' during assaults on police officers

A dad-of-two who acted “completely out of character” when he assaulted two police officers has been fined £800.
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Phillip Stoker, 13 Campfield Street, Falkirk, turned on the constables after they’d shown concern when they saw him staggering in Grahams Road, Falkirk in the early hours of November 11, 2020.

Stoker pleaded guilty to assaulting a policeman by pushing him on the body and attempting to kick him.

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He also admitted assaulting a policewoman by repeatedly punching her on the body and behaving threateningly by acting in an aggressive manner towards the officers and uttering threatening and racist remarks.

Phillip Stoker was fined at Falkirk Sheriff Court after he assaulted two police officers. Picture: Michael Gillen.Phillip Stoker was fined at Falkirk Sheriff Court after he assaulted two police officers. Picture: Michael Gillen.
Phillip Stoker was fined at Falkirk Sheriff Court after he assaulted two police officers. Picture: Michael Gillen.

The 58-year-old appeared for sentencing at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday.

Procurator fiscal depute Kristina Kelly said: “It was 5am.

“Police were on mobile patrol and became concerned for the accused’s welfare then they saw him stagger.

“They attempted to engage with him but he became irate saying, ‘I’ve done something stupid and I’ve drunk a lot’. He became aggressive.”

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At that point, Stoker directed a racial slur towards the policeman and pushed his colleague.

The fiscal depute continued: “The police officer tried to grab him to gain control and the accused punched him on the arm multiple times.

“The accused swung his right leg in an attempt to kick him. The female police officer took hold of his arms to try to control him and was struck to the body.”

When Stoker was cautioned and charged by police, he replied: “I’m sorry.”

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Defence solicitor Gordon Addison said his client suffers from an “unusual condition” and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Mr Addison told Sheriff Christopher Shead that Stoker has worked in the care industry for 30 years and been married for the same length of time.

The solicitor added: “It’s completely out of character for this man.

“He suffers from an unusual condition and was behaving right out of character.

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“He very much regrets what happened and is genuinely contrite. He lives with his wife and has two grown up children who are frontline workers for the NHS.”

As he fined Stoker the three-figure sum, Sheriff Shead said: “In light of the circumstances and your lack of record, I’m prepared to deal with it now and draw a line under it.”

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