The County Press report the teenager put the gun to the police officer’s head and pulled the trigger before striking PC Kerri Trickey with the fake gun, causing injuries. What follows is the Hampshire Constabulary release, in their own words. Ed
A teenager who assaulted a police officer in Newport, Isle of Wight, has been sentenced to a Detention Training Order, part of which will be served in custody.
Police were called at 11.43am on 4th February with reports that the 16-year-old had made threats towards people in Albany Road, Newport with a weapon, which was later found to be a BB gun.
The girl was located by police on St James Street before she made further threats towards a police officer.
The officer was then assaulted, sustaining a head injury.
Intent to cause fear of violence
The teenager, from Ryde, was arrested and subsequently charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and three counts of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
She admitted these offences at a previous court hearing.
18-month Detention Training Order
Appearing at Isle of Wight Youth Court on Wednesday 3rd March, the teenager was sentenced to an 18 month Detention Training Order.
This requires the defendant to serve half of their sentence in custody, and the remainder will be served in the community under the supervision of the Youth Offending Team.
Brind: We will always act swiftly and in interests of public safety
Chief Inspector Rob Brind said,
“This was understandably a concerning incident for the victims, who initially thought the weapon being carried was a viable firearm.
“Officers respond to incidents on the basis of the information we are provided with, and we hope the community are reassured that we will always act swiftly and in the interests of public safety when these types of incident are reported to us.
“We also want to thank the member of the public that intervened to help detain the suspect after one of our officers was assaulted.
“Assaults on police will not be tolerated. Police officers and staff perform a difficult and often dangerous role, but we do not view assaults as simply being part of the job.
“Officers and staff come into contact with people who are sometimes going through the worst experience of their lives, but this doesn’t give people the right to ever verbally or physically abuse our people.”
Image: Stock image by houstondwiPhotos under CC BY 2.0
