Lanarkshire’s top cop has welcomed the conviction of a 26-year-old Wishaw man who seriously assaulted two of his officers.
David Dowson turned on PCs Josh McCorry and Glenn Coletta in Wishaw on June 14 last year, chopping off part of one of their thumbs and permanently disfiguring the other.
The incident happened around 10pm when the response officers, who were helping a boy at the time, were approached by Dowson in the Greenfield Drive area of the town.
Callous Dowson was later heard boasting in the street: “Aye, I chopped your cops with a cleaver.”
Speaking after his conviction on Thursday, Chief Superintendent Alan Waddell said Police Scotland commended the “bravery and professionalism” of the officers involved.
The Divisional Commander told Lanarkshire Live : “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack.
“Not only were these two officers doing their job, they were actually helping a 10-year-old boy at the time.
“Any violence towards our officers is outrageous and disgraceful, and will not be tolerated.
“Over a number of years there has been an increasing number of reports of assaults on officer and staff. This can cause physical and psychological harm to those who are dedicated public servants and coming under attack should not be part of the job.
“The Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has made it clear that violence against officers and staff is utterly unacceptable and should never be seen as simply part of the job.
“He has promised to provide appropriate support to all colleagues where it does occur.”
Dowson, who has a history of violence, was remanded pending sentencing next month.
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