In a sentiment that will be welcomed by the emergency services family and supporters of the emergency services, Judge Peter Davies has demanded tougher action against those who assault our emergency services after it was revealed that 400 police officers have been assaulted in Cumbria alone over a 5-year period.
The rare statement comes just a few days after new legislation was introduced which will see anyone who is convicted of assaulting a member of the emergency services have their sentence doubled.
The Assault on Emergency Services (Workers) Act gained Royal Assent only last week, at a time when there appears to be a worrying spike of violent assaults on first responders up-and-down the country.
The Cumbrian figure was revealed at Carlisle Crown Court as prosecutor Gerard Rogerson outlined an attack on police dog handler PC Diane Irving, who suffered a suspected eye fracture and severe facial bruising in an attack that happened last December.
Judge Davies jailed the thug responsible, 24-year-old Kieron Murray, who admitted an assault causing actual bodily harm.
Mr Rogerson outlined how, as police officers were taking Murray to hospital for a check-up, the defendant had clenched his fists and made repeated references to Dale Cregan, who shot dead two women police officers in 2013 during a grenade attack after luring them to a house.
After outlining Murray’s unprovoked and cowardly assault on PC Irving, Mr Rogerson read a statement from Cumbria’s Deputy Chief Constable Mark Webster about the impact of such violence on his officers.
“Police officers and staff are subjected to assaults far too regularly,” said Mr Webster in his statement.
“While they might be expected to be confronted with violence, it should not be accepted simply as part of the job. Any physical injury will cause suffering and that should not be acceptable.”
Reacting to the statement that was prepared by the Chief Constable, Judge Davies told the Court:
“There is no way that this crown court receives 423 [police] assaults.
“My view – and it’s a view that I’ve held for some time – is that too many of these assaults on the police are dealt with summarily.
“They are not charged properly.
“They don’t find their way to the crown court; and a lot of them should find their way to the crown court.
“I want that message to go to a senior level at the Crown Prosecution Service; and a senior level at the police.”
The straight-talking judge said violence towards an arresting police officer should not simply be overlooked – a scenario that seems all-too-common when it comes to police officers being assaulted.
The heartfelt words of this Judge should resonate in court rooms around the country – the very same court rooms which police officers are sworn to protect in their duty to uphold the law of the land.
I know that many of our readers will appreciate the words of Judge Davies at a time when many feel that the justice system lets them down, specifically because they ARE police officers.
We hear time and time again from colleagues who have been assaulted, telling us about how their attackers have not been sent to jail, despite inflicting serious and vicious injuries on them.
Suspended sentences seem to be handed out like sweets when it comes to punishing those individuals who dare to assault the very same men and women who we expect to put their lives on the line in order to keep us all safe from evil.
And yet, these very same officers who have been assaulted are expected to go back out onto the streets and confront on a daily basis the worst that our society has to offer – not all of the time, but most of it.
Murray, from Esk Road, Lowry Hill, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.
Jailing him for 10 months, Judge Davies told Murray: “You were drunk; you were aggressive; you were abusive.
“Because you were injured they helped you. But you spoke to them in disparaging terms about them being coppers, referring to Dale Cregan, that loathsome individual.
“How dare you threaten, frighten, and intimidate people in that way when they are trying to help you.”
Judge Davies added: “Police in this county are going to be protected, and protected by me, from thugs like you.”
After Murray was sentenced last week, Judge Davies said he would recommend that PC Diane Irving receives a Chief Constable’s commendation for her courage.
Despite being in agony after being repeatedly punched by Murray, she continued working with colleagues as they pursued and caught Murray.
I am sure that many of the men and women who serve on the #ThinBlueLine will appreciate and applaud the stance that Judge Davies took with Murray.
Not only will his words resonate with around 130,000 police officers, but his words will also resonate with the family and friends of police officers, including the many members of the public who support the work that the police do.
Judge Davies; WE SALUTE YOU!
Written by one of the many admins of Emergency Services Humour who is also a regular blogger in our fortnightly eMagazine ’S__ts & Giggles’ which you can sign up to by visiting our Facebook page and clicking on the ‘sign up’ button or by visiting: ShitsAndGiggles.Online
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Yes about time not only for emergency services there is violence on every news chanel almost on a daily basis – knife attack 25 years + GBH 25 years – murder with any weapon including arms/legs/heads life tariff without parole in half time, any violent act to animals or the person should be 10 years + turn the prisons into waste sorters for the communities they are in – I suggest this to the home office some years ago – as there needs to be a strong deterrent for re offenders. Enough is enough but it costs Almost £40000 Per Year for each prisoner lets get some income from salvaging the throw away society and have offenders recycle 5 days a week.