Man made homophobic slurs and mimicked 'sexualised behaviour' to police
A man on his way to hospital "mimicked sexualised behaviour" and insulted police who were transporting him to the Leicester Royal Infirmary. Matthew Noble had been in police custody when officers became worried he might need medical help.
Noble, who was in police custody at Leicester's Euston Police Station, was suspected as having a broken collarbone on the morning of Monday, September 9. The 48-year-old was put in a police van and transported by officers to the A&E department at the LRI< but they had to wait to take him inside because of his behaviour in the car park.
At Leicester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (October 7), prosecutor Sally Bedford said: "He presented as either under the influence of drink or drugs and was shouting and being disruptive. They were in the police vehicle and he was mimicking sexualised behaviour and making licking motions towards a female police officer."
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She said the female officer went into the hospital to let the staff know they were going to bring in Noble, of New Fields Square, Braunstone. At that point, Noble began to abuse the male officer who remained in the vehicle with him, telling him: "I'll slit your throat when they open the door".
He also threatened to get "the boys" to track the officers down and used a homophobic slur at the officer. It was revealed that Noble also had "a number of previous convictions".
The 48-year-old, who represented himself in court, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour. He said: "I've not been in trouble for a long time. I don't know what went on. I can't even remember anything. I'm very sorry."
Noble told the court he was currently on Personal Independence Payments due to his health problems. District Judge Amar Mehta told Noble: "It's pretty unpleasant when the police are going about their business. It was distressing and it was homophobic."
He fined Noble £100 and ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £40 victim surcharge from his benefits.