A male has been sent to prison for three years after he shot a police officer using an air weapon in New Ash Green, Kent.
Adam Woodbridge fired pellets in the direction of police response team officers who had been called to a disturbance in Bazes Shaw.
On 17th January 2020, Officers attended the address following reports that Woodbridge had assaulted a woman who was known to him.
When officers asked Woodbridge to come to the front door, he shouted abuse, threatening ‘whoever comes in here is getting hurt’.
Shots were fired from inside, with one pellet penetrating the door and striking an officer in the hand.
After additional resources were sent to the scene, officers gained entry to the property without further incident, and Woodbridge was arrested.
A high-powered air rifle was found and seized as evidence.
Appearing before Maidstone Crown Court, Woodbridge, aged 49, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to possessing an air weapon with intent to cause fear of violence, common assault of an emergency worker and criminal damage.
He denied a further count of common assault as well as a charge of assault by beating, both of which the court ordered to remain on file.
On Wednesday 15th July, Woodbridge was sentenced to three years and three months in prison.
He was also made the subject of a five-year restraining order.
Detective Constable Megan Hughes, of the West Kent Vulnerability Investigation Team, said:
‘Whilst no one was seriously injured, the custodial sentence Woodbridge will now serve is a reminder of the dangers air weapons can pose when in the wrong hands.
‘The restraining order also passed by the court is a reflection of a lengthy period of distress that Woodbridge has also caused to the woman involved in this incident.
‘I hope the outcome of this case will at least provide some reassurance and comfort to her.’
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