Pc punched and choked during arrest attack
A policeman was throttled and threatened with an axe attack after arresting a man.
Macauley Melvin, 22, punched and choked the constable before threatening to attack him with an axe in Barmston Village, Washington, earlier this year.
Northumbria Police said that after a report that a man matching Melvin’s description had been acting suspiciously in the area, the experienced officer identified him and placed him under arrest.
But Melvin, of Wordsworth Avenue East, Houghton, climbed into his van and attempted to throw the constable out of the moving vehicle, before hitting him and throttling him in the street.
Chief Inspector Sam Rennison has hailed the officer’s professionalism and bravery, saying: “Melvin’s disgraceful actions could have easily led to serious and potentially life-changing injuries for the officer involved.
“The officer was carrying out his duties in a respectful and professional manner, and what followed was totally unacceptable – with the defendant punching, choking and injuring the Pc in a desperate bid for freedom..”
Newcastle Crown Court heard a member of the public rang police claiming a man had been acting suspiciously in Barmston Village on the evening of February 13.
Officers were deployed to the scene, and after seeing Melvin wearing a jacket on Waskerley Road which matched the description of the man, the Pc began to place him under arrest. After being arrested, Melvin denied punching the officer and claimed he reacted aggressively because he “was scared”.
He was charged with assault, obstructing a Pc in execution of duty, dangerous driving, no insurance use, driving without licence and possession of a Class C drug.
Melvin pleaded guilty to all offences on August 20 and was back in the dock at Newcastle Crown Court on September 13 for sentencing.
A judge sentenced him to a one-year community order, a five-month curfew with electronic monitoring and a drug rehabilitation requirement. Melvin was also ordered to pay £200 compensation.
“easily led to serious and potentially lifechanging injuries” CHF INSP RENNISON