'Misogynist' Paignton chef punched cop during beach arrest

A 'misogynist' chef from Paignton has been given a booze ban for bombarding his frightened partner with threatening messages and punching a female police officer in the face. Ryan Shepherd, 30, of Totnes Road, told the woman he "would not stop" his hate-filled campaign against the woman until he was sent to prison.

A judge at Exeter Crown Court said his harassment was "frankly appalling" and anyone reading the messages would think he should go to prison. But he was given a chance to change his ways and handed a suspended sentence with unpaid work and an alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement.

The judge also warned him: "This is a case which is reserved to me. I will ask for a report every month. If you are not interested in completing the requirements I'll have you back and lock you up."

Shepherd pleaded guilty to harassment putting the victim in fear of violence, sending threatening messages, assaulting two emergency workers, assault by beating and criminal damage.

Prosecutor Paul Grumbar said in August Shepherd slapped his partner and pushed her face into the floor.

She managed to escape but in October, while the couple were separated, Shepherd sent a number of angry messages including how he would "smash" her face. The messages also included references to rape and he described his partner as a "c***-hungry social media whore."

At the time Shepherd was on bail for assaulting two police officers during a confrontation in Torquay in February. Police received a number of emergency calls to say someone had gone off the wall at Meadfoot Sea Road.

They found Shepherd on the beach drinking a bottle of gin. His car was parked badly nearby. He was arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving but resisted by punching a female officer in the face. A number of other officers then got involved.

While he was being restrained on the ground Shepherd told one officer "You're c**k smells and is in my face." He then bit the officer on his knee.

The defendant told police he was very sorry for the assaults and would never hit a woman of police officer. He said the relationship with his ex was up and down and admitted he had said some horrific things that made him feel sick. "I'm sorry I did it," he said.

Mr Grumbar said Shepherd has a previous conviction for common assault. Martin Salloway, defending, said Shepherd has issues with alcohol and his mental health. He was having a breakdown at the time.

Judge James Adkin said the messages were misogynistic and the hostility based on the victim's sex. But he was a candidate for rehabilitation and that would allow him to keep his job and stay out of trouble.

Shepherd was jailed for 12 months suspended for two years with a 120-day alcohol ban and 180 hours of unpaid work. He must do 40 rehabilitation days with probation, pay costs of £1,500 and compensation to each police officer of £500.

He was given a five-year restraining order not to contact his ex.