A man has been sent to prison after he kicked a police officer in the head as she tried to apprehend him over allegations of criminal damage.
Connor Bates, 22, has been jailed after assaulting the female Special Constable with Northumbria Police releasing the bodyworn camera footage to highlight the physical abuse which police officers are subjected to.
Connor Bates lashed out at the volunteer officer as she and a male colleague attempted to detain him on the morning of September 6.
While carrying out enquiries into a report of criminal damage, the Special Constables approached Bates, who was covered in blood and appeared to be under the influence of drink or drugs.
The 22-year-old tried to run off, but they quickly caught up with him – at which point he became verbally abusive and physically resisted arrest, kicking the back of one of the Special Constable’s head.
On Monday, Bates was jailed at Newcastle Crown Court after pleading guilty to assaulting an emergency worker.
Now, with the victim’s bodyworn footage having captured the whole incident, Chief Inspector Nicola Wearing has praised the Special Constables’ bravery and says Bates should be ashamed of his behaviour.
“Connor Bates is somebody who has previously shown a total disregard for the welfare of our officers and showed levels of aggression and animosity that were totally unacceptable,” Chief Insp Wearing said.
“The two Special Constables on duty were carrying out enquiries into a report of criminal damage and approached Bates, who was covered in blood. Their natural instinct was to try to make sure he was alright – so what followed was absolutely appalling.
“Our officers come into work every day, knowing they could be faced with difficult and dangerous situations, and clearly putting public safety before their own is something that is expected. But it sometimes beggars belief when they are faced with such levels of violence – simply when doing their jobs.
“In this case, the victim was a Special Constable who gives up her spare time to support her local police force. Our fantastic team of Specials selflessly take on the role while often juggling busy family lives, other professions or further education commitments.
“I would like to praise both Specials who attended this incident for their fantastic commitment while facing shameful levels of hostility and aggression. They should be incredibly proud of the way they dealt with a volatile situation so calmly while waiting for back-up to arrive.
“There is no place in society for the behaviour displayed by Bates and I welcome the custodial sentence handed down to him.”
In a statement prepared for court, the Special Constable admitted she was surprised by Bates’ behaviour which left her with a painful injury.
She said: “Even though I expect an element of resistive behaviour and violence in my role as a frontline Special Constable, I do not expect nor condone anybody trying to assault me in my line of duty physically.
“This person had no authority to assault me in this manner which left me in pain and with a bump on the rear of my head.”
Bates, of Saint Ignatius Close, Sunderland, has been jailed for six months.
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