A DISTURBING VIDEO led to the jailing of a man for a “shocking and brutal” attack on a police officer.
Hampshire Constabulary reported that Craig Radbourne (25), of Stanmore Gardens, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.
He was sentenced yesterday to 36 months in prison.
The assault on Sergeant Kerry Lawrence was captured on her Body-Worn Video (BWV) camera, which she wore on her uniform. Hampshire Constabulary said the judge described the footage as “nothing short of sickening”.
“Assaulting an officer must never be seen as just part of the job”
On 6 July 2014, Sergeant Lawrence responded to a report of a burglary in progress. Radbourne was arrested by her on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and placed in handcuffs and into a police car.
As Sgt Lawrence was awaiting back-up, Radbourne viciously attacked her, “banging her head on the ground several times”.
He was rearrested by police officers nearby and taken into police custody.
Chief Inspector Simon Dodds said that police officers know there is an element of risk to their work, “however assaulting an officer must never be seen as just part of the job”.
It is unacceptable. This was a disgusting attack on a member of my team, who works tirelessly to serve her community.
I know it was an extremely traumatic experience for Sgt Lawrence and her family and it also had a significant impact on her team and others at Basingstoke Police Station. I am pleased that the courts have recognised the seriousness of this offence in the sentence passed today. Sergeant Lawrence is now back on full duties, which is to her absolute credit.
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