Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
‘VICIOUS’ CHOKE THUG WHO ALMOST KILLED COP IS JAILED
Police colleagues thought constable was dead after violent struggle with man he was arresting
Distraught police officers thought a colleague who was choked unconscious by a violent thug had been killed.
Burly brute John Dow, 36, was jailed for six years at the High Court in Glasgow this week for attacking PC Paul Gavan, who had turned up at a large-scale earlyhours disturbance in Coatbridge last July.
Crazed Dow strangled the stricken constable for more than a minute after he tried to arrest him, with CCTV footage capturing his colleagues frantically struggling to drag Dow off PC Gavan.
The officer suffered a broken nose and has since been diagnosed with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and endures flashbacks and anxiety.
Jailing Dow, judge Lord Fairley told him: “The assault could have ended his [PC Gavan’s] life.
“Other officers thought that he had died and it’s clear from his victim impact statement the effects on him by you that night have been severe.”
Area commander, Chief Inspector Jim Gillespie, said: “He [Dow] committed a vicious and prolonged attack against someone who was simply just trying to do their job. The impact these incidents have on our officers, and their colleagues
who witness it, is huge.”
A thug who choked a police officer unconscious in Coatbridge, leaving colleagues fearing he had been killed, has been jailed for six years.
Commenting on last week’s sentencing on John Dow, Area Commander, Chief Inspector Jim Gillespie, said: “He [Dow] committed a vicious and prolonged attack against someone who was simply just trying to do their job. The safety of our officers is absolutely paramount and we welcome the sentencing.
“The very nature of the job often means police officers and staff find themselves dealing with volatile and dangerous situations to protect the people and communities we serve. It is unacceptable for anyone to be assaulted or abused and this will not be tolerated.
“The impact these incidents have on our officers, and their colleagues who witness it, is huge and our Chief Constable has made a commitment in his Your Safety Matters Assault Pledge to ensuring they receive the right support.”
Dow pounced on PC Paul Gavan, who had turned up at a large scale early-hours disturbance in Dow’s home town, on July 26 last year.
The burly 36-year-old strangled the constable for more than a minute after he tried to arrest him.
CCTV footage captured other officers struggling to drag Dow off a stricken PC Gavan.
Prosecutor Angela Gray told the High Court in Glasgow: “PC Gavan was placed in the recovery position by colleagues.
“An ambulance was summoned. Some officers – on seeing him unconscious – thought he was dead.”
The 33-year-old PC luckily came to after being knocked out cold for 20 seconds. But, a judge was told the officer has suffered “significant trauma” as a result of his ordeal.
Dow had been due to go to trial accused of attempting to murder PC Gavan.
He instead pled guilty to the reduced charge of assaulting the constable to his severe injury and danger of his life.
On passing sentence, Judge Lord Fairley told Dow: “There is a suggestion from the social worker that you accept responsibility and regret in regard to your actions.
“You seek to reflect blame on the victim and that there is blame on both sides.
“The assault involved choking the police officer for over a minute and rendered him unconscious and could have ended his life.
“Other officers thought that he had died and it’s clear from his victim impact statement the effects on him by you that night have been severe.
“He has been diagnosed with PTSD, has flashbacks, anxiety and he suffered a broken nose.
“There is reference about the possibility of the officer retiring on health grounds.”
PC Gavan and a colleague had stopped in Mitchell Street, Coatbridge, as a group were arguing with each other and damaging property. Miss Gray told how Dow was part of the mob.
As the officers called for backup, Dow became annoyed after a man was detained.
Miss Gray said the thug started filming officers on his mobile phone while being “aggressive and challenging” to PC Gavan.
PC Gavan eventually told Dow he was under arrest.
Dow then lashed out, grabbing the constable, punching him and squeezing his throat tightly.
The advocate depute said: “He kept his grip of PC Gavan... they both fell into a hedge with Dow on top of him.
“PC Gavan felt that his life was in danger. He tried to free himself from Dow by punching him on the head, but this had no effect.
“PC Gavan lost consciousness – he was motionless.”
CCTV showed Dow still kept a hold of the victim and it took two other officers to finally get him off.
Miss Gray said: “In total, Dow had his hand around the neck of PC Gavan for approximately one minute and 10 seconds.”
Dow then went on to briefly grab PC George Hay, but was quickly overpowered.
The court heard PC Gavan – who had 11 years service – ended up with a broken nose, damaged teeth, bruising, scratches and swelling.
Miss Gray said: “He has suffered significant psychological trauma in the wake of the attack upon him.”
Dow also admitted assaulting PC Hay to his injury.
Tony Graham QC, defending, told the sentencing that Dow had been suffering from an injury.
He said: “Mr Dow was the victim of an assault previously. This gave rise to a chain of events.
“During being assaulted, he was forced into an electric substation and he was electrocuted.
“He had surgeries for that and was required to be ventilated.
“This is not an excuse for his behaviour but maybe you can see how a situation can descend into the situation on the video.”