A teenager who assaulted five police officers after he was caught stealing a bottle of Lambrini in Norwich has been spared a custodial sentence, despite being told his crime merited one.

Aiden Talbot, 18, of Cranley Road, Eye, near Diss, struck out at the police officers on November 26 last year, Norwich magistrates heard yesterday.

The drama unfolded after he stole a bottle of the sparkling wine and cheese worth �4.49, from a Tesco supermarket in Norwich on the same day.

One of the police officers was kicked in the face, another received a blow to the chest and one was spat at.

Talbot was charged with five counts of assault against a police officer, theft and disorderly behaviour.

He pleaded guilty to all offences.

During the sentencing at Norwich Magistrates' Court, Phil Charnley, prosecuting, said: 'He showed no remorse at all, he seemed rather pleased with himself.'

The court heard how Talbot was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where he continued to display disorderly behaviour. Some of the offences against police officers happened while he was escorted to the hospital.

In mitigation, it was heard how Talbot had fallen out with his parents and was kicked out of home around the time of the incident. He had recently started a new job as a door-to-door salesman for double glazing and home improvements, the court was told.

Talbot was given 16 weeks in a young offenders' institution suspended for a year. He was also given a 12 month supervision order and ordered to go on a general offending behaviour programme.

Sentencing, district judge Philip Browning told Talbot: 'If you go to jail the chances are that you could come back out worse than you went in without resolving your problems.

'I think the offence does merit prison but I'm willing to suspend it. You've assaulted five police officers, that's very serious, and if you commit another offence during the suspended sentence then you will be back before the court.'

Talbot was also ordered to pay �85 costs.

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