South Yorkshire thug claimed he missed a probation appointment after dropping phone down the loo

Curtis Baggley, aged 23, of The Lanes, East Dene, Rotherham, has admitted five counts of assaulting an emergency worker after assaulting three police officers and assaulting a fourth officer twice, according to Sheffield Crown Court hearing on October 2.

He also admitted drivng offences which occured on the same day, October 19, 2019, including driving without insurance, without a licence, failing to provide a specimen and failing to stop.

Baggley was to be sentenced but defence barrister Richard Canning said Baggley had not had the benefit of a scheduled pre-sentence report because he had missed a probation phone appointment after claiming he had dropped his mobile down the toilet.

Mr Canning said: “He received a telephone call and got out of bed and went to the toilet and dropped the phone down the toilet and that is the reason why he could not answer.

"It seems far-fetched at first, but there are good reasons to accept that is the case. He has a new telephone number and the second reason is that this was a telephone appointment and it was in his interest to answer that call.”

Mr Canning added he subsequently struggled to contact the probation service because their number was on the phone but he should have done more.

Judge Graham Reeds QC said: “I am not persuaded he is telling the truth.”

He added: “I am very sceptical about this and I am willing to give him one last chance. I do not think it will make a difference in the end but it might.”

Judge Reeds told Baggley: "Normally, you get one chance for a pre-sentence report. Looking at this without going into the background, it looks to me you had spurned that chance and my initial reaction was why should any public money be wasted.”

However Judge Reeds wanted to consider any impact sentencing may have on a family member so he adjourned the case until October 30 to consider a probation report.

But he warned Baggley the most likely result is custody. Baggley was released on unconditional bail.

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