Hampshire Police Federation Chair calls for those who assault police officers to be dealt with robustly

8 October 2020

Courts must robustly deal with offenders who assault police officers and stop showing leniency, Hampshire Police Federation has said.

Hampshire Police Federation Chair Zoë Wakefield was reacting after a man who spat at and tried to bite a Hampshire Police officer did not get a prison sentence.

Zoe said: “This is extremely disappointing. Assaults on emergency workers are increasing and this has been recognised by the Home Secretary who is increasing the maximum sentence, but this is pointless if the courts are not going to deal with offenders robustly."

Wayne Wilkinson spat at a police officer and tried to bite him when two officers were called to a commotion at a block of flats. The spit landed on the protective visor covering the officer’s face.

Full story here https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/crime/man-who-tried-bite-police-officer-cosham-flat-evades-jail-2995041

Zoe added: “Wilkinson admitted the offence and the deputy district judge said he ‘richly deserved to go to prison’.

"The fact that the officer was wearing PPE should not be a factor in whether or not a custodial sentence is imposed. Whether or not the offender is getting support from other agencies does not excuse or justify assaulting one of my colleagues.”

Wilkinson was a prolific burglar who had recently been released from prison. He blamed his probation officer for not giving him enough help to find somewhere to live, and had turned to drink.

Wilkinson was given a suspended sentence, but the judge admitted he would have sent the defendant to prison if the police officer had not been wearing a visor.

The deputy district judge told the defendant: “It is disgusting to spit at someone, especially in the current climate. It was lucky it landed on his face protection, otherwise I would be sending you down.”

He added that he had some sympathy with Wilkinson, saying: “You had just come out of prison and had no support.”

Wilkinson received a 16-week jail sentence suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, attend rehabilitation days and pay compensation and costs.

The judge said: “If you breach, then you will come back to court and I will send you straight down.”