In a first of its kind, a man has been jailed for assaulting a police officer.
Daniel Hilton aged of Hawthorne Grove in Wigan was jailed yesterday for three months at Manchester Magistrates’ Court under a new legislation.
The conviction comes after Hilton wrapped his mouth around a police constable’s thigh and sunk his teeth in, as he was responding to reports of a man with a knife.
The PC was called to an address in Leigh last Saturday afternoon and was finally able to secure Hilton after using a Taser and leg restraints.
The legislation – The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill means jail time for those who assault workers in the public sector, could double.
When exercising the legislation, Judges will take into consideration that the offence was committed against an emergency worker.
Whereas previously, those who committed these types of offences could receive a maximum sentence of six months in prison, this could now be increased to one year.
Assistant Chief Constable Annette Anderson, said: “Members of the emergency services often put themselves in harm’s way to protect others and this incident is no different.
“Being attacked when you are simply trying to do your job is something no-one should have to face but being targeted while you are coming to the rescue of others is nothing short of inexcusable.
“As we do in any case, we will robustly pursue those who use violence against those responding to 999 calls and will do everything in our power, with the newly welcomed legislation, to protect the protectors.”
