A POLICE union is calling for tougher sentencing after a man who assaulted three police officers in a drink-fuelled town centre brawl escaped jail.
Daniel Lee Solway, aged 24, and of Poets Way, Dorchester, pleaded guilty at Weymouth Magistrates Court to three counts of assaulting a police officer in the execution of their duty.
The court heard that on December 22 last year, police investigated reports that someone had smashed a vehicle windscreen in Weymouth town centre just after 9pm.
Elizabeth Valera, prosecuting, read a police statement which said Solway, who had been out drinking at a staff party, was arrested for the offence but later released following further enquiries.
Solway walked away from officers after being freed from handcuffs but then turned back and spat at PC Andy Lowe, “pushing him hard” in the chest.
Solway resisted being put into a police car, and while attempting to transfer Solway to a secure police van, he repeatedly “pushed against” officers causing PC Suzannah Godfrey-Wiggins to suffer heavy bruising to her arm. He also tried to bite and headbutt her, the court heard.
While officers tried to restrain Solway on the floor, he hit his own head on the floor ‘five or six times’ which caused his head to bleed. He was taken to hospital for treatment.
After leaving the hospital, Solway assaulted another officer, PC Jonathan Stewart, by headbutting his chest.
Lee Christmas, mitigating, said Solway had too much to drink and was "appalled" by his behaviour, but said the injuries "weren't as serious as they could be."
Dorset Police Chief Constable Debbie Simpson wrote an impact statement for magistrates which said six officers are assaulted in Dorset every week.
She said: "They are people and they don't go to work expecting to be assaulted. It has a negative impact on the community, and also their families. They go home to children and partners injured, and it has a huge effect on them.
"We have a responsibility to protect the public but we are all too often prevented from doing this."
Solway was given a sentence of 12 weeks suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to PC Godfrey-Wiggins and £200 costs.
Speaking after the sentencing, Anna Harvey, vice-chairman of the Dorset Police Federation, said: “As a staff organisation, we are all too aware of the impact that assaults have on our members and their families.
“These three officers had to deal with a violent man who resisted arrest, headbutted an officer and was continually trying to bite, spit and kick at officers.
“Assaults on police officers are still commonplace, and we see far too often ‘soft’ sentences that do not reflect the true impact on the victims.
“The Police Federation of England and Wales are continually campaigning for tougher sentences for anyone who assaults emergency workers.”