Man Sentenced for Fire Extinguisher Assault on Police Officers

An individual who sprayed four police officers with a fire extinguisher at a hotel accommodating asylum seekers has been imprisoned for 20 months. Steven Tiquin, aged 41, visited the Potters International Hotel in Aldershot, Hampshire, on August 3, which was three days subsequent to a large-scale violent demonstration, according to proceedings at Salisbury Crown Court. Upon discovering no protesters present, he proceeded to spray the officers, hurl a bicycle, tug an inspector’s tie, and provoke him to a physical altercation, the court heard. Tiquin had earlier admitted guilt to four charges of assaulting emergency personnel, one charge of affray, and one charge of a racially aggravated public order offense. The earlier protest at the hotel on July 31 involved over 200 individuals who yelled insults, struck windows, and ignited flares. Judge Rufus Taylor informed the court that this event was part of “rioting that swept England following the murders of three little girls in Southport”. He stated that law enforcement officers were conducting investigations at the hotel three days afterward when Tiquin appeared and “decided to make a statement”. The judge reported that the scaffolder, who had consumed alcohol, yelled “they shouldn’t be here” and “they’re going to rape our children”, in addition to verbally assaulting the officers. The court was informed that the defendant sprayed an inspector in the mouth, struck a constable, and made repeated attempts to bite the officers after being restrained on the ground. The judge mentioned that two of the officers sustained minor injuries, and children within the hotel were “petrified”. Lucy Conroy, the defending barrister, stated that the father of one expressed being “exceptionally remorseful and embarrassed… by his own stupidity”. Tiquin, residing at Grosvenor Road, gestured with a thumbs up towards the judge as his sentence was pronounced.