Christchurch man Richard Wrate attacked police officer and committed thefts and fraud in New Milton

A CHRISTCHURCH man is set to be sentenced for attacking a police officer and committing a string of thefts, as well as fraud and vandalising a car.

Richard Wrate (31), of no fixed abode, admitted assaulting Sgt Arron Wood at Davis Field in New Milton on 24th January.

Appearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, Wrate also admitted stealing an iPhone 14 with bank cards from a man at the town’s Tesco Express on 17th January.

As well as this, he admitted stealing a black Radley faux crocodile leather purse containing bank cards from a woman on Antler Drive in New Milton on 15th January.

Wrate admitted fraud in using the woman’s bank cards to buy £232 of tobacco products.

He pleaded guilty to two shoplifting charges, relating to taking £35 of alcohol from Morrisons in New Milton on 3rd May, and £14.30 of food from the town’s Tesco Express on 17th January.

Finally, Wrate pleaded guilty to causing £650 of damage to the window of a Nissan Micra on Antler Drive on 15th January.

He was refused bail as deemed likely to offend and abscond, as well as due to the seriousness of the offences, his previous record and character, and lack of community ties.

Remanded in custody, Wrate is due to be sentenced at the same court on 16th December.