A family attacked police officers in their home just minutes after they dialled 999 for help, with one left needing hospital treatment. The family of four from Bridgend took one officer into a headlock, struck another on the head, kicked one in the chest and held one by the scruff of her neck.
They all pleaded guilty to assault by beating of an emergency worker and were sentenced earlier this month. Mark Davis, 63, his wife Sara Davis, 55, their daughter Olivia Davis, 27, and her boyfriend Conor Blacklock, 28, had been out drinking in Bridgend on February 5 before the attack.
A statement from South Wales Police said the police control room received a call from a number linked to Mark Davis, but nobody spoke. "Control room operators heard shouting and banging in the background so they dispatched officers who arrived minutes after," the statement continued.
"When officers arrived at the address they were immediately confronted by the family who were hostile and threatening. The officers tried to calm the situation down, but shirtless Conor Blacklock was aggressive, shouting and gesturing in the face of an officer.
"As the officer tried to arrest Blacklock, his girlfriend’s father, Mark Davis took one of the officers to the floor in a headlock. Daughter Olivia struck another officer to the head, and as one of the officers went to arrest her, Olivia’s mother, Sara Davis, kicked the officer to the chest.
"Mark Davis then grabbed hold of one of the officers by the scruff and attempted to assault her before he was pulled away. One of the officers needed hospital treatment for a cut to his head following the incident.
"They were all arrested, taken into custody and charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker. They went on to plead guilty and appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court to be sentenced earlier this month."
Conor Blacklock, of St Marie Street, Bridgend, was given a four-month sentence which was suspended for 24 months. He was also given 200 hours unpaid work and a curfew for two months. Mark Davis, of Preswylfa Court, Bridgend, was given an eight-week sentence which was suspended for 18 months.
Sara Davis, of Preswylfa Court, Bridgend, was ordered to pay a fine of £1,400 or in default, serve seven days in jail. Olivia Davis, of Preswylfa Court, Bridgend, was given a 12 month community order and must carry out unpaid work for 120 hours before June 30, 2023.
Superintendent Marc Attwell said: “Police officers face enormous risk to keep our communities safe and as a senior police officer I will do everything I can to protect those who protect our communities, which includes securing justice for them when they themselves become the victim of a crime simply because they are performing their sworn duty.
"On 402 separate occasions an emergency worker was assaulted in my area of responsibility over the past year. That is on average 8 police officers, paramedics and fire officers assaulted every week for simply protecting their communities and keeping people safe. That is unacceptable.
"I welcome their conviction and sentencing and hope that it sends a strong message to all those who would consider assaulting police officers that if you do that we will arrest you, we will place you before the courts and we will always seek the strongest penalty available."
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