A MAN started throwing ‘windmill-style’ punches as officers tried to arrest him for making hoax calls.

Neil Howarth, of Leonard Street, was handed a curfew order at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting a constable, obstructing a constable and making 13 false 999 calls. 

Rob Youds, prosecuting, told the court how on August 27, between 9.30am and 5.30pm police received 13 calls from Howarth, first referencing historical family matters and then becoming rambling with ranting and swearing. 

Police visited the 46-year-old’s home and found him drunk but calm – but once police announced that Howarth was arrested he jumped up and hid behind a chair with clenched fists. 

He then began throwing punches ‘windmill style’ which stuck one of the police officers. 

Howarth then grabbed the body armour of another constable and threw him against the wall where the constable hit his head and suffered a cut. 

Gary Schooler, defending, said Howarth had been drinking alcohol and had very little recollection of the event.

He stressed that this behaviour was out of character and, while Howarth was clearly rambling during the 999 calls, he made no threats of violence. 

Mr Schooler told the court that Howarth, who has a history of mental health problems, could not work out the reason for the repeated calls. 

Since the incident, Howarth has stayed away from alcohol.

Beverley Foulkes, who was chairing the magistrates’ bench, said: “We take these offences very seriously. These are police officers who are just doing their job. 

“They did not deserve to be treated in that way.”

Ms Foulkes ordered Howarth to pay £100 to each of the two constables in compensation and £85 in court costs. 

He was also made subject of an eight week curfew order from 7pm to 7am.

Howarth is currently serving a community order until May 2020 which will continue under supervision.