Telford man sentenced for assaulting police officer and shoplifting

A Woodside man has appeared before Telford Magistrates’ Court to face sentencing for two separate incidents involving the theft of meat and an assault on a police officer.

David McKee, 54, of Willowfield, was handed a community order after pleading guilty to the offences which took place over the last few months.

The court heard that on 2 November 2025, McKee stole meat valued at £30 from the M&S store in Telford. This was followed by a more serious incident on 21 January 2026, where he assaulted a police officer. The assault charge was aggravated due to the victim being an emergency worker.

During the sentencing hearing on 19 March 2026, Magistrates took McKee’s guilty pleas into account. For the assault on the police officer, his community order was increased from nine months to 12 months.

The order, which runs until March 2027, includes a six-month alcohol treatment requirement under the direction of probation services. McKee must also participate in up to 10 days of rehabilitation activities.

Financially, McKee was ordered to pay £30 in compensation to M&S and £150 to the police officer. The court decided not to impose further costs or a victim surcharge, stating that compensation to the victims must take priority.

At the defendant’s request, an application was made for the funds to be deducted from his benefits, with repayments set at £20 per month starting in April.