Why didn’t karate yobs face tougher sentence?
Judge’s fury after PC attack
A FURIOUS judge last night suggested two thugs responsible for a sickening attack on police may escape with a light sentence.
Judge Sarah Plaschkes QC accused prosecutors of failing to bring tough enough charges against the career criminals who left two officers with serious injuries.
Kersan Euell, 20, and Martin Payne, 19, were caught on camera fighting with officers after a routine traffic stop.
Metropolitan Police officer Lorraine McGinty was left with a serious head injury after she was karate-kicked into the path of a bus by Euell. Her partner PC John Collins suffered a fractured rib as he was dragged across the street while clinging on to Payne.
Both criminals have a long list of previous convictions, including attacks on police officers.
At Kingston Crown Court yesterday, the two men admitted causing actual bodily harm which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
However, Judge Plaschkes remonstrated with prosecutors, asking why they had not brought more serious charges which could result in a harsher sentence.
She said: ‘The court is concerned if these counts reflect the full criminality of this offence.
‘These offences were committed on the street at night in the presence of members of the public. I’m not giving any indication one way or another as to the court’s eventual sentence. I’ve indicated already my concern.’
After the attack in Wimbledon, south-west London, on November 17, the men were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, which carries a maximum life sentence.
Prosecutors defended the lesser charges, saying victims of grievous bodily harm are left with broken bones and permanent disfigurement or ‘loss of function’.
They will ask the judge sentencing the pair next month to apply an increased sentence to reflect the seriousness of attacking the emergency services.
But Ken Marsh, who leads the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: ‘This was an abhorrent attack and it is being replicated across the country on a regular basis and we are not being backed by the judicial system.’
Judge Plaschkes yesterday revealed gang member Euell’s criminal history began in 2011, aged 13. She said he has convictions for robbery, battery, burglary and ‘offences of assaulting police’. Payne also has a ‘long list’ of convictions, including resisting arrest, possessing an offensive weapon and drugs offences.
Their latest attack on police began after officers suspected their car was not insured and tried to take Payne’s details. PC McGinty has still not returned to work.
Euell, of Catford, south- east London, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Payne, of New Malden, south- west London, admitted to one. They will be sentenced on January 21.