Man had police standoff after attacking another male

Robert Hughes was told he has a “grudge against the police” at Mold Crown Court on Thursday (September 3) as he was jailed for 16 months.

Hughes, 38, of no fixed abode, had previously admitted charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.

Prosecutor Rabiah Tariq said Hughes attacked Lloyd Thomas in Denbigh on July 20, despite Mr Thomas pleading him with to stop.

Mr Thomas, who used his hands to protect his head and face, was also punched by Hughes.

Police were called, and Hughes made his way onto a roof of a property, where he threatened to throw a rock at officers.

At one point, officers considered requesting a negotiator to deal with Hughes.

On a mobile phone recording of the incident, Hughes could be heard saying: “It’s my turn,” and “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

Ms Tariq said Hughes’ criminal record spans more than two decades, with 33 previous convictions for 95 offences to his name.

Representing Hughes, Gareth Bellis said his guilty pleas are his “best mitigation”.

Mr Bellis said Hughes has “complex and long-standing needs linked to childhood trauma,” but conceded he acted in a “completely unacceptable way”.

Hughes has struggled with his consumption of steroids and supplements, the court heard.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Mills said “a lot of police resources” were required to deal with Hughes, whose assault he described as “nasty” and “crynical”.

Judge Mills told Hughes he has a “grudge against the police”.

He added to him: “Police officers have a difficult and dangerous job. There is no excuse to threaten to strike them with an object like a rock.

“Your past seems to show you have very little interest in rehabilitation.”