A POLICE officer investigating a domestic disturbance was kneed in the groin by a man who admitted he had been drinking and smoking cannabis.

Blackburn magistrates heard during the incident Edgars Sturmanis behaved erratically and twice tried to grab the officer’s taser.

Sturmanis, 32, of Park Road, Darwen, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and failing to surrender to bail. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 10 days rehabilitation activity requirement and 140 hours unpaid work, fined £100 and ordered to pay £200 compensation to the officer, £85 costs and £90 victim surcharge.

Malcolm Isherwood, prosecuting, said when police arrived at the defendant’s home he appeared very confused and under the influence of something.

“All they could get out of him were the words “I’m alive” and he repeated that a number of times,” said Mr Isherwood.

“His behaviour was very erratic. He appeared calm one minute and very agitated the next.”

Mr Isherwood said after lunging at the officer and trying to take his stun gun out of its holster Sturmanis was handcuffed and became very aggressive. He calmed down and said he just needed to sleep.

“The officers were satisfied he had calmed down and they could remove the handcuffs but when they did his behaviour changed instantly,” said Mr Isherwood.

“He kneed the officer in the groin and tried to headbutt him.”

Sturmanis again tried to grab the stun gun and the officer, fearing what would happen if he got hold of it, struck him as hard as he could to make him let go.

“The officers eventually managed to gain control and he was taken to the police station,” said Mr Isherwood.

Richard Prew, defending, said his client had no previous convictions.

“This incident was pre-lockdown but there is no excuse for any assault on an emergency worker,” said Mr Prew.