Man jailed after brutally assaulting and strangling BTP officer

Ryszard Hermanowski, 30, of Hampstead Road in Nottingham, had pleaded guilty at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on October 11 last year to assaulting and strangling the officer.

He was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court to 16 months for intentional strangulation, as well as six months for assault by beating of an emergency worker to be served concurrently. He was also made to pay a £187 victim surcharge.

A second man also involved in the incident, David Zozulak, 45, and of Albany Road in Nottingham, was handed a 26-week prison sentenced suspended for two years and made to pay £439 for assaulting a police officer and obstructing a constable in execution of duty after pleading guilty at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on October 12, 2023.

BTP said the officer had arrived for duty at around 3.30pm on Saturday September 23 at around 3.30pm.

Hermanowski was stood outside a taxi parked directly in front of the access gate to a BTP private car park adjacent to Nottingham railway station, blocking entrance.

The officer requested the car to be moved, and the taxi driver complied. Hermanowski however swore at the officer before approaching him in his car, while Zozluak began to urinate against a fence next to the access gate.

BTP said the officer got out of the car and asked him to stop, identifying himself as a police officer.

“In response, Hermanowski grabbed the collar of the officer, ripping his clothes, before punching him in the face and breaking his glasses. Zozulak was seen on CCTV punching the victim three times in the head,” it added.

“Hermanowski proceeded to punch him two more times in the head, before placing him in a choke hold while Zozulak dragged him down to the floor behind the car. The court heard how the victim felt himself losing consciousness and started to fear for his life.

“The pair continued to struggle before the officer managed to restrain Hermanowski with the help of a member of the public, and after Nottinghamshire Police arrived he was taken to custody. Zozulak left the scene but was later arrested.”

In an interview with the police, Hermanowski admitted to being heavily intoxicated and claiming to not believe the victim to be a real police officer.

Investigating officer PC Christopher Simpson said: “The victim was an officer trying to do their job, making the railway a safer place for everyone, and this vile and ruthless assault was utterly unacceptable.

“I hope the sentence for Hermanowski sends out a clear message that anyone who assaults our officers will be dealt with, and violence toward those who work to make the railway safer will never be tolerated.”