Teenage Chef Spat at Officer Before Being Struck in Custody, Court Hears

A teenage chef was struck by a police officer after spitting in his face, a court has heard.

Finley Messenger (18) had been out drinking in Newcastle before being arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and taken into custody.

While in a cell, magistrates heard he was “kicking, screaming and acting like a toddler” before deliberately spitting into an officer’s eyes and mouth.

CCTV shown in court captured the officer striking him to the head seconds later, described as “swift summary justice”.

Messenger was later taken to hospital with suspected concussion, though no serious injury was found.

The case was heard at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, where he admitted assaulting an emergency worker.

He was fined £233 and ordered to pay costs and compensation.

Magistrates were told the incident began as “low-level” but escalated quickly due to his behaviour in custody.