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Staffordshire Police report that a man has been jailed after assaulting two men and damaging businesses across Stoke-on-Trent.

Darren Steele, 52, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 26 weeks behind bars at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Friday (5 September).

He pleaded guilty to:

Three counts of criminal damage to property valued under £5000

Two counts of assault by beating

Two counts of being drunk and disorderly in a public place

Using threatening / abusive / insulting words / behaviour to cause harassment / alarm / distress

Assault by beating of an emergency workerFailure to surrender to police / court bail at the appointed time

Failure to comply with a community protection notice

Breach of a licensing exclusion order

Breach of a criminal behaviour order.

On Friday 4 July, we were called to The Moorland Inn, Ford Green Road, Smallthorne, following reports that a man had been assaulted and a hanging basket had been damaged. When Steele was arrested, he further damaged a custody cell.

On Saturday 9 August, officers were called to Ford Green Road following reports of Steele acting in a disorderly manner. Steele was found shouting and swearing in the street and when he was approached, he punched a police officer.

Sergeant Chris Gifford said: “Steele is a prolific offender, and we do not underestimate the impact his crimes have on local people and businesses.

“I hope this sentence shows that we are committed to taking action against those that commit crimes against local people.

“Steele has also been handed a criminal behaviour order for three years which prevents him from entering different businesses across Stoke-on-Trent.”

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