Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been sentenced after he was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault of an emergency worker in Buckingham.
David Stanley, aged 28, of Oakhaven Park, Gawcott, pleaded guilty to the offences in a hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court on 7 April this year.
Returning to the same court for sentencing last Wednesday (8/6), Stanley was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, given a supervision order for two years and ordered to attend 19 “Thinking Skills” sessions and a Temper Reduction and Aggression Control Skills programme.
At 1.30am on 29 October 2019, officers were called to Bridge Street in Buckingham following reports that Stanley had punched a member of the public during an altercation.
Upon arrival, officers attempted to arrest Stanley, who resisted and assaulted both officers.
When officers attempted to handcuff Stanley, he refused to comply, threw punches and then bit one of the officers.
Through his violence, Stanley broke a finger of one of the officers, which led to him requiring hospital treatment, surgery, and several months’ of recuperation.
Another officer discharged incapacitant spray and Stanley assaulted her, causing significant pain and bruising.
Investigating officer Detective Constable James Lacey of Aylesbury CID, said: “This was a violent and disgraceful attack on two front line police officers who were carrying out their duties.
“Stanley had already attacked a member of the public before resisting arrest.
“The act of biting another person is abhorrent and one of these officers now has a life-long loss of faculty in a finger, which could have detrimental consequences in his later life and career.
“Our frontline officers work tirelessly to protect the communities of the Thames Valley, often in hostile and difficult circumstances, but it is never part of the job to be assaulted, and when this happens, we will always put offenders before the courts.
“The judge has given Stanley the opportunity to avoid a prison sentence and I hope that Stanley puts this opportunity to good use and engages with the rehabilitation programme imposed upon him to prevent any further violent offending.”