Walsall carer jailed for vile rant at police

Gavin Grant launched a vile verbal attack on Pc David Smith outside his house in Pelsall. During the expletive-ridden rant, 27-year-old Grant praised Cregan, who is serving a full life sentence after shooting dead two police women, and said Pc Smith deserved a similar fate.

He also mentioned Raoul Moat who blinded an officer by shooting him in the face. Wolverhampton Crown Court was also told how Grant, of Riddings Crescent, racially abused the white officer during the incident on April 12.

Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting, said he was also found to have a small amount of cannabis on him. At the time, Grant was being arrested in connection with the harassment of a relative.

"He was getting into a car when the officer arrived to arrest him on an unrelated matter," said Mr Searle. "The defendant then completely lost his temper shouting insults and making threats. He was abusive and showed an absolute disregard for the police. He said Dale Cregan and Raoul Moat were right and officers like David Smith deserved to be shot."

Mr Paul Hiatt, defending, said Grant was in a 'heightened emotional state' because of concern for his grandmother when the outburst occurred on a Sunday morning.

Grant, a full time carer for his grandmother, told the court: "I am ashamed that I used those hateful words to a police officer.

"I must learn to keep my mouth shut and show respect to a professional doing his job. I need to change my attitude."

The father-of-two pleaded guilty possession of cannabis and using racially aggressive, insulting words and behaviour. He was jailed for six months.

Recorder Julian Taylor told him: "It must have been very unpleasant for a police officer to listen to those sort of comments. They were horrible."

Grant has since served a six-week jail term for the harassment of a relative.