Man jailed for assaulting seven officers
A man who racially abused and attacked Essex Police officers in Southend-on Sea has been jailed for 18 months.
Sentencing Luke Harding at Basildon Crown Court on Monday (June 1) Judge Samantha Cohen condemned his “violent, aggressive behaviour and vile racial abuse” and the extra risk his actions posed during the Covid-19 crisis.
Two officers had gone to Kursaal Way in Southend on April 4 to arrest Harding on suspicion of another matter.
He initially gave false details then ran off into a block of flats.
One officer caught up with him but Harding kicked him in the legs and punched him in the face several times as he tried to restrain him. Harding then racially abused his colleague and bit him several times in the arm.
The officers called for back-up because of his violent behaviour. An officer and special constable went to help restrain him, but Harding kicked one of the female officers in the stomach and kicked the other several times.
He headbutted a fifth officer and assaulted a sixth while he was being taken to a police van.
Essex Police said that even in custody Harding continued to behave aggressively and racially abused an officer and headbutted another.
The 32-year-old, of Kursaal Way, Southend, was charged with seven counts of assaulting an emergency worker and two of causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress. He admitted the charges and was jailed for a total of 18 months.
Southend district commander Chief Inspector Ian Hughes said: “Harding was consistently hostile and aggressive towards our officers, who put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep members of the public safe.
“In sentencing Harding, the judge said he used violent, aggressive behaviour and vile racial abuse towards our officers, and referenced the extra risk he posed by biting an officer during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Fortunately they were not seriously hurt and no members of the public were put at risk.
“But this sentence highlights the seriousness of the incident and we will not tolerate this kind of abhorrent violent behaviour towards any of our officers and special constables, who show courage and professionalism every day to protect the public.”