A pub-goer who resisted police after he was accused of assaulting a doorman, told a court he had “fought the law and the law won”.

Officers on duty were alerted to an incident in Whitehaven by the PubWatch scheme at around 11.30pm on July 2, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said a group had refused to leave the area after being refused service at the Strand. The group were located a short distance away.

It was alleged that John Thinnesen, 29, had pushed a member of door staff.

Ms Fee said the officers attended to speak to the group, and the defendant became “abusive” and made a comment about “bacon rolls” – an insult to them being police officers.

Thinnesen was placed under arrest for being drunk and disorderly. He was handcuffed and resisted arrest, pulling the police officer’s body armour.

Ms Fee said the defendant then attempted to grab the officer’s legs but was unsuccessful. Thinnesen laughed throughout the incident.

Further officers attended the scene and the defendant “violently” resisted police. After struggling with the defendant for some time, incapacitant spray was used.

Thinnesen was put in the van and taken to custody. Ms Fee said he was “aggressive” and “abusive” to police officers throughout the whole incident.

During police interview, Thinnesen denied the offence of common assault on the door staff. He admitted to being aggressive but said he “didn’t touch the bouncer in any way”.

He said he was “grabbed by someone” and thought he was being assaulted. He said he didn’t realise they were police officers. He said he believed he was “unjustly assaulted”.

Thinnesen, who was not legally represented in court, said: “I was walking away from a bar after having a verbal disagreement with a doorman.

“I have been thrown to the floor. Had my feet stamped on. I was grabbed from behind. I didn’t know who it was.

“I wasn’t drunk. I had five pints.

“The allegation of calling someone ‘bacon roll’ is completely fictitious and ridiculous.

“The way I have been treated for calling a bouncer a d***head is abysmal.

“I have been stripped naked. Left without medication. Left without my inhaler.

“It has made me lose faith in the police force. I got back to the cells and someone called me a gypsy b******.”

Thinnesen, of Rosebank, Hensingham, Whitehaven, had pleaded not guilty to a charge of resisting police at an earlier hearing but changed his plea to guilty when he appeared before magistrates on Monday.

He told the court: “I can’t afford £5,000 for a solicitor. I fought the law and the law won. There’s no point pursuing this case.”

Thinnesen was fined £226 and was ordered to pay £150 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

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