AN ISLE of Wight man headbutted an emergency worker, told police he would eat them for breakfast, and barricaded himself in a Tesco toilet.

Matthew Burchmore, of Market Street, Ventnor, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Friday, April 19.

The 32-year-old was charged with two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker, in St Albans, between May 28 and 29 of last year.

He was also charged with two counts of criminal damage, in Worcester, between November 23 and 24.

Prosecutor, David Logan-Rose, said Burchmore had been arrested at his ex-partner’s house on an unrelated matter, and became increasingly more agitated while waiting for the arrival of a police van in St Albans.

He said Burchmore complained about his handcuffs being too tight, made a comment about eating both police officers for breakfast, and in a burst of rage, kicked a banister.

Mr Logan-Rose said Burchmore was abusive and twice attempted to headbutt an officer, striking the back of his head against his neck and shoulder.

The court heard he was taken to the ground, and when he was back on his feet, he made another attempt at throwing his head at an officer.

Mr Logan-Rose said, during a second incident in Worcester, Burchmore took bedding from shelves in Tesco and barricaded himself in a toilet.

He said he went on to spit in a police van.

The court heard Burchmore’s last conviction was in January 2022, again for assault on an emergency worker, for which he received 12 weeks custody.

Ian Lewis, defending, said Burchmore had been handcuffed behind his back and complaining about the tightness of his cuffs.

He said he became agitated and threw his head back, but the headbutt was unintentional, was not aimed, and did not cause injury.

Mr Lewis said Burchmore had spent just shy of seven weeks on remand, as a consequence of failing to attend his trial, and felt he had already served his sentence.

Burchmore was made subject of a 12-month community order, to include 20 rehabilitation days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay costs of £85, £134 compensation, and a £114 surcharge.