Officer traumatised after fight for life
BY GORDON CURRIE reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk
A POLICEMAN fought for his life as a teen mixed martial artist pinned him down with a potentially lethal chokehold.
Mirko Novansky held the 16-stone officer to the ground by wrapping his legs around his neck and forcing him to gasp for air.
Dundee Sheriff Court was told that PC Graeme Hunter – who is several inches taller and five stone heavier than his assailant – had been left traumatised by the near-death experience.
Fiscal depute Vicki Bell said Novansky ran off from outside a bar when he saw the policeman and his colleague so they gave chase.
She said: “One officer couldn’t keep up and fell behind in the foot chase. PC Hunter, who is 6ft 2in and 16st, caught up and put his hands round the accused’s waist.
“His momentum put them over a fence and both ended up on the ground. The accused wrapped his legs around the officer’s neck from behind.
“His breathing was restricted and he could feel the accused punching him on the head.
“It was a mixed martial arts manoeuvre and he formed the opinion the accused was well versed with the technique.
“Initially, his colleague could not locate them.
“Then he could hear PC Hunter groaning and shouting. As he arrived, he observed the accused violently struggling with his colleague. He pulled him off and handcuffed him.
“PC Hunter was coughing, struggling for breath and visibly shaken. The mode of the assault had the potential to cause death had the officer not struggled as well as he did.
“The officer suffered significant impact on his physical and emotional wellbeing.”
When questioned by police, Novansky said: “I did it and I’m sorry.”
Novansky, 18, admitted assaulting and injuring PC Hunter in Fintry Drive in April last year to his injury and to the danger of his life.
Sheriff Thomas Hughes granted him bail while deferring sentence until next month.