A VIOLENT booze and drug addict who spat in the face of a police officer as he was being arrested in Ongar has been locked up for four years.
Wayne Moseley, 24, from Buckinghamshire, left five vulnerable women terrified after he scoured the streets of Chelmsford on his moped looking for victims to rob.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard last Thursday that on March 22 at about 3.30pm, police were told a Ford Transit had been stolen from Ladygrove Caravan Park on the A414. The van was being driven by Moseley and it belonged to his partner.
It was tracked by a police helicopter which saw Moseley park up in Orchard Close, Ongar, and switch into the passenger seat, before officers swooped and arrested him.
Prosecutor Samantha Lowther said: "When police officers arrested him on suspicion of theft he became aggressive and began to swear and was asked to calm down but he continued, lashing out and attempting to head butt PC Bignall.
"He was restrained on the ground and his legs were put in restraints to prevent him injuring the officers.
"They became aware he had been drinking from his breath and he spat at PC Bignall's face and mouth. He immediately drew back his head and was making more spit sound when PC Bignall clenched his fist and punched him in the face.
"The defendant was arrested and in the Transit they found an axe and a meat cleaver on the passenger side."
Scrap metal dealer Moseley only had a provisional licence. When breathalysed, he had 76mgs of alcohol in 100mgs of blood, more than twice the legal limit.
A few days later on March 30, Moseley embarked on a terrifying campaign in Chelmsford city centre, seeking out five vulnerable women on his moped to rob.
One was Paige Amooty, who was sitting in a bus stop outside Marks and Spencer when she heard a moped heading towards her. Miss Lowther said: "It stopped in front of her, blocking her from getting up and the driver said 'give me your phone... don't let anyone know just give it to me, I will break your nose' raising his arm and clenching his fist."
Gavin Burrell, mitigating, said: "Moseley has serious problems with drink and drugs and emotional problems with the death of his brother. He's come to the realisation he needs to deal with it and can get help inside."
Mr Burrell said the meat cleaver and axe were used by Moseley for his metal scrap business.
He said: "They are not the usual tools for the business but they clearly weren't being waved around at the time."
Judge David Turner said: "Perhaps the only mitigation available to you is you pleaded guilty and it is my unhappy duty to sentence you. You are 25 years old, your life I accept has not been initially straight forward and free from sadness, but none of that begins to justify it."
He revealed Moseley had 13 convictions for 24 offences in nine years.
"PC Bignall had the disgusting experience of being spat on full-on in the face and mouth," Judge Turner said. "The work of the police is difficult enough without being exposed to this animalistic conduct – I hope you feel thoroughly ashamed."
Mosely admitted two counts of possessing a pointed article in a public place, two counts of drink driving, two counts of driving without a licence and two counts of driving without third party insurance.
He also pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, three counts of attempted robbery, assaulting a constable and possession of class B drugs.
Moseley was jailed for a total of four years and also banned from the road for three years.
'Animalistic conduct'
Judge David Turner said: "The trauma for all of these people needs no imagining at all.
"Perhaps the only mitigation available to you is you pleaded guilty and it is my unhappy duty to sentence you.
"Taking that into account I've read a lot from you in relation to the grave offences and some regret and remorse at quite how unpleasant the experiences of March 30 was for your victims here in the city.
"You are 25 years old, your life I accept has not been initially straightforward and free from sadness, but none of that begins to justify it."
He revealed Moseley had 13 convictions for 24 offences in nine years.
"PC Bignall had the disgusting experience of being spat on full-on in the face and mouth," added Judge Turner. "The work of the police is difficult enough without being exposed to this animalistic conduct – I hope you feel thoroughly ashamed.
"On March 30 you embarked on a period of an hour or so in the evening on a robbery spree here in the city.
"You were storming around on a moped with a helmet and visor and embarked on a string of street robberies, in two cases direct violence. These women were left absolutely terrified.
"Your motive was money for drugs."
He added he did not believe Moseley kept the weapons in his van for his scrap metal business.
