A man who assaulted officers after being found with a large hunting knife during a stop and search is behind bars.
Hamza Haddadi, 19 (13.01.2000), of Buttermere Close, Leyton E15 admitted to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, two counts of possession of an offensive weapon, and criminal damage.
He was sentenced to 14 months’ detainment at a young offenders’ institution at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Wednesday, 5 June.
On the afternoon of Friday, 17 May, officers from the Leytonstone Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) carried out a proactive search, and drug dog operation at Leytonstone underground station stopped Haddadi on the eastbound tube platform.
Haddadi was initially compliant but appeared agitated.
During the search, carried out by Sergeant David Johns and PC Sam Mason, Sergeant Johns opened the zips to his hooded top and saw the handle of a large hunting knife.
At that point, Haddadi tried to get away, as the doors to a train that had pulled into the platform opened.
Officers kept hold of him, but Haddadi resisted and elbowed Sergeant Johns in the face, knocking off his glasses.
Haddadi was brought to the floor and handcuffed.
Several officers suffered minor injuries as a result of the scuffle.
In custody, Haddadi was searched, and officers found another smaller switchblade knife hidden down his trousers.
The North East Area Gangs unit led the case.
Superintendent Ian Brown, of the North East Area Command, attended the hearing to support the officers. He said:
“This is a stark reminder of the kind of behaviour Met officers have to deal with on a daily basis.
“Police officers should be able to go about their jobs without fear of assault, but sadly, this is not the reality.
“The body-worn video was important evidence.
“It showed how quickly the situation escalated, and how the officers detained an aggressive suspect without endangering the public, whilst remaining calm and composed throughout.
“The court rightly acknowledged the bravery and the professionalism of the officers, with the Judge stating the seriousness with which assaults on officers are viewed.
“This is a fine example of how we are taking knives and offenders off the streets, and protecting the public. It also shows how our proactive operations directly result in convictions, and often jail sentences.”
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That’s NOT a ‘hunting’ knife, unless your hunting zombies, fellow drug dealers or …
Sentence far too lenient. This person was going equipped to kill or maim. There was NO logical reason to have a knife that large in public unless he intended to use it to harm somebody. Judges need to wake up to knife crime, what happened to the “get caught in public with a knife and it’s 5 years in jail” promise from Tony Blair?
FOURTEEN MONTHS ?? They are taking the P*SS. The Piece of SH*T should have got at least TEN YEARS. WE DO NOT WANT OR NEED SCUM LIKE THIS OUT ROAMING FREE ON OUR STREETS !!