It’s the worst thing that ever happened to me, says driver attacked and cuffed by raging policeman
A FATHER-OF-THREE who was insulted and headbutted by an onduty Derbyshire police officer has spoken out about the attack he suffered.
Ben Joynes told the Derby Telegraph his life has undergone major change since the assault in November last year in which PC Mark Knights headbutted and handcuffed him in front of his teenage son.
A two-day trial at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court found the Matlock-based officer guilty of assault. The court heard how PC Knights told his victim to “**** off”, called him a “fat ****” then headbutted and handcuffed him after Mr Joynes said he was unable to move his car to let a police van through.
PC Knights was given a six-month curfew order. The conviction means PC Knights faces the realistic prospect of losing his job at Derbyshire Constabulary.
Speaking exclusively to the Derby Telegraph, Mr Joynes, of Dronfield, said he feels the criminal punishment given to PC Knights by the courts was nowhere near tough enough.
He said: “I think the sentencing was unduly lenient, to be honest.
“If someone else headbutted a police officer for no obvious reason, you would almost definitely get a custodial sentence. What’s the difference?”
Mr Joynes also claimed that he received anonymous death threats if he did not drop the case against PC Knights.
The 48-year-old said: “I have suffered a lot over the last year because of this incident. It’s been the worst thing that has happened to me in my whole life.
“It was like being headbutted by a vicar. It was the last thing you would expect from a serving officer.
“He knew nothing about me – I could have been an MP, a police officer, surgeon. It just happened totally out of the blue, he had a road rage.
“I have had numerous anonymous phone calls telling me to drop this case or my life won’t be worth living.
“I have also suffered with depression and had to have twice-weekly counselling sessions for anxiety after PC Knights headbutted me. It’s had a serious impact on my life and I’ve lost confidence.
“I’m glad it’s over and justice has finally prevailed.”
Mr Joynes’ legal team have also confirmed they are claiming compensation from Derbyshire Constabulary.
Solicitor Iain Gould said: “I have already initiated Ben’s civil claim for compensation and anticipate that Derbyshire police will adopt a pragmatic and prompt approach to settlement.
“Hopefully, however, they will also take this episode as an opportunity to reflect upon their recruitment criteria and the characters of those upon whom they are bestowing the uniform and powers of a police officer.”
Derbyshire police say that due to the ongoing misconduct proceedings they were unable to comment on the outcome of the trial.