Man Sentenced Over PSNI Knife Attack

A 42-year-old man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for assaulting a police officer.

The man was sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court for wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, attempted wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, assault on police, affray and possession of an offensive weapon.

The offences relate to an incident in Filbin Crescent, Lurgan, County Armagh, during the early hours of 5 February 2012.

Police responded to a report of a domestic incident and found a male locked in a house with two small children present.

As police attempted to gain entry, the man attacked one officer with a knife and attempted to injure another before he was restrained and disarmed.

Sgt Mark Wright sustained two knife wounds to his head during the incident.

The man was arrested at the scene and the two young children, aged one and three, were brought to safety.

Sgt Wright said: "I believe this was a fair sentence for fairly nasty and serious offences.

"For all of the police who attended that night this was a life and death situation. We knew there was a man in the house who had already assaulted a number of females and that two young children were also present in the house. Our priority was to ensure the safety of the kids. When the male appeared at the door, armed with two knives, our first priority was to disarm him and this is what we did.

"While I was injured I was not the only police officer there. This was a team effort and we worked together to make sure everyone came through the incident safely."

Judge Lynch commended police, saying the level of force used was "meritorious" and proportionate.

Sgt Wright continued: "I am aware of the perception in some communities that police are heavy handed and I hope the comments from the Judge dispels some of this thinking. I hope that this incident and sentence shows this community that we are there to protect and help them and that we will carry out our duty professionally and respond to each call, regardless of who makes it or where it comes from, with the safety of the victim as our first priority."

(IT/JP)