Thug who attacked police officer in hospital sent to prison

AN ‘abhorrent’ thug who attacked two police officers has been jailed for eight months.

Alan Hill had smashed a window and sent threatening messages to his partner before police arrived at his home in Consett. The 32-year-old then punched an officer in the shoulder.

Later, in hospital and heavily intoxicated, he was abusive before leaping from his bed, grabbing an officer, knocking him to the ground and causing him to fall into a sink so forcefully that it detached from the wall.

He then took the officer by the throat, but, with the help of hospital staff, Hill was restrained.

The officer had to be treated for an injury to his ribs and a cut to the head.

In a victim statement the officer said the attack, which happened on February 5, had hit his confidence and for some time he felt unable to return to frontline duties. Hill, of Derby Drive, Moorside, Consett, County Durham, admitted two counts each of causing criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker.

His previous 52 offences include convictions for violence and attacks on police.

Judge James Adkin said anyone attacking officers and causing such disorder in a hospital had to be jailed immediately. Imposing an eightmonth prison sentence, the judge also put in place a restraining order prohibiting Hill from trying to contact or approach his former partner for five years.

Durham Constabulary Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “This type of behaviour is abhorrent and completely unacceptable.

“Our officers go above and beyond day in and day out to protect the public and do not deserve to be assaulted, especially in a hospital.”