A male has been sentenced after causing serious injuries to two West Yorkshire police officers during a machete attack last year (2020).
The horrific incident happened on 20th May when officers attended an address in The Grove, Idle, having received some intelligence regarding the address potentially being connected to firearms.
When they arrived, the male at the address refused to let the officers in, requiring them to force entry to the address.
After the officers gained entry, they were attacked with a machete. One officer, PC Bradley Smith, was struck over the head with the weapon.
PC Matthew Johnson had severe wounds on his arm following the attack. Both officers were rushed to hospital where they received treatment.
Both officers have since recovered from their injuries and are back on full duties.
Corbin Samuels, 28, of The Grove, Idle, was arrested at the scene and taken into custody.
Prosecutor Mark Mckone told Bradford Crown Court that the officers went to the address after the Border Force at Birmingham Airport intercepted two packages addressed to Samuels.
The first parcel, seized on May 8, contained a Bruni Mod blank firing pistol and the second, intercepted four days later, had several blank firing cartridges in it.
Mr Mckone said the pistol was a prohibited firearm designed to discharge gas and irritant substances.
Mr Mckone added that PC Smith had been left with a large scar to his head with associated numbness. He was off work for a month, and his family now felt anxious when he was on duty.
PC Johnson was scarred to his arm, and both officers are still dealing with the attack’s psychological impact.
Despite being tasered, Samuels continued to attack the officers and attempted to gouge at one of the officer’s eyes.
Samuels was later charged with two counts of wounding with intent and another offence of importing a prohibited firearm.
Samuels appeared at Bradford Crown Court yesterday (2 February).
Judge Jonathan Rose sentenced him to 80 months’ imprisonment for attacking the officers with the machete and 16 months to run consecutively for importing the pistol.
He said the officers knocked on his door “politely and respectfully”, but Samuels refused to answer, leading to the officers having to force entry into the address.
The khukuri knife that Samuels used in the attack was “a highly dangerous and potentially lethal weapon.”
“There was no reason or justification for you did,” the judge stated
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Farrell, of Bradford District Police, said:
“We welcome the sentence that has been passed down to Samuels today for a despicable attack on serving police officers who were simply conducting their duties.
“The incident was incredibly distressing for all officers involved, but thankfully they have all made a full recovery from the physical injuries and have received help and support from Bradford District.
“Any assault on a police officer or staff is completely unacceptable and as a Force we will take a robust action to any individual who carries out such needless and vicious acts of violence.”
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Why were the officers unarmed? The occupant of the address was in possession of a weapon and therefore should have been treated as armed and dangerous. Firearms officers should have been deployed and dealt with this incident. Shocking!