Man Jailed For 18 Months After Assaulting Seven Officers

A man has been jailed after seven police officers were assaulted in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.

Two officers had been sent to an address in Kursaal Way, Southend, on 4th April this year to arrest 32-year-old Luke Harding for an unrelated matter.

Harding initially gave officers false details before running off and trying to hide in another block of flats.

One of the officers found Harding trying to hide. When the officer attempted to take him into custody, Harding lashed out, kicking the officer’s legs and punching him several times in the face.

When the officer’s colleague arrived, Harding bit him several times on the arm before racially abusing him.

A call for more units was put out on the radio, and two officers arrived at the scene a short time later.

Harding then kicked one of the female officers in the stomach and kicked the other officer several times.

Harding also headbutted the fifth officer and assaulted a sixth as he was being led to a police van.

While in custody, Harding continued to abuse officers racially and headbutted another officer.

The 32-year-old of Kursaal Way, Southend, was charged with seven counts of assaulting an emergency worker and two of causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress.

He admitted the charges at Basildon Crown Court on 1st June and was jailed for a total of 18 months.

Southend district commander Chief Inspector Ian Hughes said:

“Harding was consistently hostile and aggressive towards our officers, who put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep members of the public safe.

“In sentencing Harding, the judge said he used violent, aggressive behaviour and vile racial abuse towards our officers, and referenced the extra risk he posed by biting an officer during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Fortunately, they were not seriously hurt, and no members of the public were put at risk.

“But this sentence highlights the seriousness of the incident, and we will not tolerate this kind of abhorrent violent behaviour towards any of our officers and Special Constables, who show courage and professionalism every day to protect the public.”

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