Judge fury at ‘let-off’ for yob who battered WPC
A JUDGE hit out at prosecutors yesterday after a thug who was filmed attacking two police officers was charged with minor assault.
Kursan Euell, 20, was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm after he launched a “kung fu kick” on PC Lorraine McGinty which almost sent her under a bus.
But the pair were convicted of the lesser charge of actual bodily harm.
The sickening attack with accomplice Martin Payne, 19, left another PC, John Collins, with a broken rib.
Yesterday, Judge Sarah Plaschkes QC demanded to know why prosecutors had failed to charge the pair with more serious offences.
Harrowing footage shows PC McGinty being kicked to the ground in Merton, south London, and left lying in the road clutching her head feet away from the bus as it passed. Outrage… Judge Sarah Plaschkes
PC Collins was shown being dragged along the road on November 17. PC McGinty, a mother, has not returned to work since.
Euell, of Catford, south-east London, and Payne, of Croydon, south London, admitted actual bodily harm.
Kingston Crown Court heard Euell has an extensive criminal record, including other assaults on police officers going back to 2011.
Payne attacked a police officer while resisting arrest in 2014.
After the Crown accepted their pleas, Judge Plaschkes said: “The court is concerned if these counts reflect the full criminality of this offence. I’m not giving any indication one way or another as to the court’s eventual sentence.
“I’ve indicated already my concern… it’s a matter for the Crown.”
At an earlier hearing Euell indicated a not guilty plea and claimed he was at his grandmother’s.
Last night, campaigners said the charging decision was “a clear case of plea bargaining to save money”.
Harry Fletcher, of the Victims Rights Campaign, said: “This case brings plea bargaining into disre- pute. These individuals end up with a lower sentence which is not commensurate with the seriousness.”
Last night, Met Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove said: “The impact of this despicable assault has been considerable, not only on the two officers involved but on their families, friends and colleagues.
“Officers deserve the protection of the law in order to do their jobs.”
The pair were remanded in custody. Sentencing is due next month.
The Crown Prosecution Service said: “We were satisfied that the charge was correct.
“The CPS will ask the court to pass an increased sentence to take into account the new Assaults on Emergency Workers Act.”