Brute who battered officer Diane gets sentence slashed

A POLICEWOMAN battered by a thug has told of her fury at his release after serving just a quarter of his jail sentence.

Kieron Murray, 24, punched Pc Diane Irving so hard fellow officers could not recognise her.

She had gone to help after she saw him knocked to the ground in a fight in an alleyway in Carlisle.

Murray was jailed for 10 months after admitting assault at Carlisle Crown Court on September 7.

But he was freed on a 3pm-to-7am curfew on November 22 – after serving just 76 days behind bars.

Pc Irving said: “At the time people said ® he should have been given longer. All I wanted was him in prison this Christmas so he could think about what he had done and how he had ended up where he was.

“Now this won’t happen so I am very angry, frustrated and disappointed.

“The sentences for assaults on emergency workers have recently been increased.

“But this makes a mockery out of the sentencing and it shows no deterrent.”

Martin Plummer of Cumbria’s Police Federation said: “It is an utter disgrace.

“The release of this individual having only served 76 days is an insult to every officer in England and Wales who work 24/7 to protect the public.

“At the time, Diane thought he would at least be spending Christmas in prison.

“Now we know he’s home for Christmas. For her to find out he was released was a huge shock.

“To say she was upset, disappointed, and deflated is an understatement.”

Mr Plummer added: “Diane is a strong woman but after this she was in bits.

“Individuals that have no respect for the police and the work they do must be given a punishment that fits the crime.”

The Star Says: Page 6 ABUSED: Gareth