Two sentenced following assaults on police officers

 

On 2 May, two men appeared in Warwick Crown Court and received prison sentences for offences including assaulting police officers.

Ryan Knights, 27 of no fixed abode, was sentenced to nine months in prison for possession of PAVA spray, two counts of assaulting a police officer, escaping from lawful custody, and assault by beating.

Knights is also required to pay a victim’s surcharge of £187.

While under arrest on suspicion of an unrelated matter on 29 February, Knights was conveyed to the George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton to be checked for an injury.

He attempted to make off from the officers and tried to climb over a gate, but the officers quickly caught up with him.

Knights struggled in a further attempt to get away, and during the altercation Knights got hold of the officer’s PAVA spray and used it on the two officers.

Two members of staff from the hospital saw the commotion and moved to help – one was also PAVA sprayed by Knights while they assisted the officers with the restraint.

Anthony Wilde, 34 of Stratford Avenue in Atherstone, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, driving without insurance, and failing to provide a specimen for a breathalyser test on request.

He has also been given eight points on his license, a 15-month disqualification from holding a driving license, and a victim’s surcharge of £228.

Late at night on 9 March, officers on patrol in Kingsbury spotted a blue Skoda hatchback speeding in the opposite direction.

A short time later in the early morning of 10 March, a blue Skoda hatchback was spotted travelling along Coventry Road in Kingsbury.

A check on the vehicle showed that the car was only insured to be driven by one person, a woman, which did not match the description of the driver.

The car was stopped on Knowle Hill, where two officers got out of their car and approached Wilde, who had exited the Skoda.

Wilde, upon being told why he had been pulled over, became increasingly agitated and confrontational. When one of the officers tried to take his arm to prevent him from walking out into traffic, he became aggressive and punched the officer.

The other officer then moved to restrain Wilde and get him under control. Wilde threatened to headbutt the officers as they put a handcuff over his left wrist and then continued to struggle.

Wilde shouted before lashing out at the officers and throwing further punches, grappling with the officers, and hitting one in her face.

During the struggle, Wilde did manage to pin one of the officers to the ground, but was then PAVA sprayed, restrained, and arrested.

He continued to fight with the officers, putting one in a headlock, before other officers arrived and helped to convey Wilde to Nuneaton custody.

Chief Constable Debra Tedds said “It is completely unacceptable for our officers to be attacked like this while carrying out their duties to keep the public safe.

“It is fitting that both of the perpetrators have been given prison sentences as a result of their actions.

“We will continue to support all officers who are attacked or abused while carrying out their duties.”