Local man sentenced for drug possession, police assault and car theft

A Swindon man has been sentenced after admitting to possessing drugs, assaulting a police officer and stealing a car.

The sentencing of Lee Johnson (40), Ermin Street, took place at Swindon Magistrates Count on 13 July and was the result of two separate incidents which occurred in the town last month.

The first incident which occurred on 6 June involved officers attending an address on Covingham Drive following reports of a disturbance. Lee Johnson was at the address and attempted to run from officers, where he was stopped and arrested on suspicion of taking a car without consent. During the arrest Johnson assaulted one of the officers who received minor injuries.

Johnson was then later found to be acting suspiciously on the 30 June by officers on patrol on Dorcan Way. Following his behaviour one of the officers carried out a stop and search. This resulted in a metal baton being found in Johnson's bag, for which he was arrested. On his journey to the police station he was also found to be in possession of two small bags of herbal cannabis and one bag of cannabis resin.

The officer who made the stop and search on 30 June, PC Michael Porter, said: "This was a good result and this incident is a good example of how useful Stop and Search can be when an officer suspects something illegal is about to or has taken place.

Being able to use these powers in this case means a potentially dangerous weapon has been taken off the streets of Swindon."

Johnson pleaded guilty to the first incident and was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months and was ordered to take part in a drug rehabilitation programme, adhere to a restraining order stopping him from going near an address on Covingham Drive and was disqualified from driving for 18 months. He also had to pay compensation to the injured officer.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and possession of cannabis; he was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months and ordered to take part in a drug rehabilitation programme.