A Brighton man has been sentenced to six months in prison after a series of violent assaults against housing support workers, church volunteers, and police officers.
Brian Spring, 48, launched a string of attacks in two separate incidents, first targeting volunteers at a church in Kemp Town before later assaulting staff at a sheltered housing scheme in Grand Parade, Brighton. His aggressive behavior continued when police officers arrived, leading to further charges.
The first incident occurred on August 14, 2023, at a church on St James’s Street, Kemp Town, where Spring approached three volunteers seeking help after soiling himself. However, after receiving assistance, he became abusive, shouting at the volunteers before physically assaulting them. Spring was identified and later arrested, and in July 2023, he was found guilty of three counts of assault by beating for this incident.
The second attack took place just weeks later, on September 9, at a sheltered accommodation in Grand Parade, Brighton. Spring pinned a staff member to a wall after a disturbance broke out in the building. The worker managed to retreat to a secure office, but Spring attempted to break in, kicking the door and smashing windows with a plank of wood in an effort to get inside.
Police officers were called to the scene and attempted to calm Spring down, but he was immediately aggressive. During the arrest, he attempted to headbutt one of the officers and later spat at them while in custody. The court heard that Spring was intoxicated on Class A drugs during this second incident.
In addition to the assaults on the housing worker and volunteers, Spring also faced charges for assaulting emergency workers. In court, he admitted to four counts of assault by beating, two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, and criminal damage.
While in custody, Spring further aggravated his offenses by throwing food through a cell hatch at a police detention officer after demanding food and drink in the early hours of the morning.
At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on September 18, he was sentenced to six months in prison for the violent assaults and criminal damage. The court emphasized the seriousness of his actions, especially in light of his aggression towards emergency workers and the vulnerable volunteers who were attempting to assist him.
Spring, formerly of New Steine Mews, Brighton, showed no remorse throughout the trial, according to the court. His repeated outbursts of violence while under the influence of drugs resulted in the prison sentence, which Brighton Magistrates’ Court deemed necessary to protect the public and deter further offenses.
The case serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by those working to support vulnerable members of society and the importance of swift justice in cases of violence against emergency and support workers.
