2 days ago
Powys: Man Tasered by police officer after crash on A483
A Newtown man has been spared prison for driving off after a collision which led him being Tasered by police.
Floyd Bailey was driving along the A483 between Crossgates and Llandrindod Wells on May 17 when a blue Fiat Panda driven by Daniel Thomas Breeze stopped without warning.
He had to swerve around the car to avoid a collision but was forced to clip the Fiat's wing mirror. Mr Bailey then went to stop to exchange details, but Breeze drove off.
Welshpool Magistrates' Court was told that PC Reynolds saw the collision and followed the Fiat, at speed, along an unclassified road.
Breeze had to climb out of the Fiat after it came off the road and got stuck in a ditch.
PC Reynolds then tried to place the 35-year-old from Newtown in handcuffs after he ignored his request to remain at the scene, but Breeze resisted and was taken to the ground. He then tried to fight back and grabbed the officer's personal protection equipment.
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PC Reynolds drew his Taser, but Breeze walked towards the officer and pushed him away. The Taser was then used on Breeze as he tried to get back into the car.
Prosecutor Helen Tench told the court that Breeze was seen "dropping a package" before being taken to the floor again and restrained by PC Reynolds until more officers arrived on the scene.
Breeze told police that he tried to speak with the officer but he "came raging, charging towards me". He added that he was "quite scared" after being hit by a vehicle.
Robert Hanratty, defending Breeze, said the defendant "didn't realise for a significant time" that the police officer was following him.
"When he became aware that police were behind him, he pulled over to the righthand side, thinking that he wanted to pull over.
"The defendant said the officer was a bit charged up with adrenaline. Daniel couldn't understand why he wanted to arrest him.
"He picked up the handcuffs and threw them.
"A Taser is a firearm and can only be deployed in certain circumstances.
"Mr Bailey was at fault. The insurance letter admits liability and will fix the defendant's car.
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"But [Breeze] finds himself on the other side of prosecution. He's the victim.
"It's very unusual for an officer to physically grapple somebody when investigating a roadside incident. Mr Breeze said it was over the top."
Mr Hanratty added that the defendant's "problem" was that he is subject to a suspended sentence for a domestic incident.
Probation officer Joseph Long told the magistrates that Breeze decided not to stop because he "wasn't too fussed" about the damage and didn't think that he needed to exchange details.
"Mr Breeze panicked when he saw police and quickly pulled over in a gully," Mr Long said.
"He tried to talk to the officer, but it escalated.
"He doesn't remember being Tasered, but he remembers throwing handcuffs away."
Breeze, of Trehafren, Newtown, admitted resisting a PC Reynolds in the execution of his duty, failing to stop after an accident and giving his name, address and vehicle details, and failing to surrender to court bail on June 3.
Magistrates decided to disqualify Breeze from driving for six months and ordered him to complete 80 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order.
Cynthia McVey, chair, told Breeze: "You need to understand that you could be sent to prison because you are on a suspended sentence order.
"We have decided that it's unjust to activate it today. It is a dissimilar offence and probation are offering a community order which offers a reasonable hope of rehabilitation."
