Three female officers who were wrestled to the floor by a thug have told of their fear during the bizarre incident with one saying it will stay with her forever.
Officers had executed a warrant at the home of John Steven Knight in Stafford Street, Llanelli, for an unrelated matter. But the 37-year-old was not at home so PC Jaye Blanco-Martin and DC Eleri Owen, along with another officer who does not wish to be named, attended his place of work in Ammanford.
As officers spoke with Knight he was initially calm and compliant. But then he tried to unlock his phone. In fear that Knight was attempting to delete evidence the anonymous officer took hold of his arm to try and seize the phone.
Read more: Go here to see all the latest court coverage from around Wales
Knight’s personality and attitude towards the officers then changed instantly, she said. “He moved his phone to his other hand and immediately started to fight us,” she said. “He was pulling away, clearly trying to escape.
“Out of nowhere I felt a sudden push from Knight using his full body weight and as a direct result of the blow I fell to the ground and hit my head. I immediately felt pain and discomfort in my head and it started throbbing.”
In the struggle all three officers ended up on the floor having been shoved and thrown into furniture, walls, and a door frame.
Despite Knight’s efforts the officers were able to arrest him. One officer suffered a suspected head injury that required a CT scan while all three suffered cuts and bruising to various parts of their bodies.
The officer added: “I was incredibly worried for mine and my colleagues’ safety. Knight was well built and over 6ft and had the strength to take three officers to the ground with him.”
Knight appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on September 29, the day after his arrest, and was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
Check crime reports in your area:
Following the terrifying ordeal DC Owen said: “During the whole incident I was afraid not just for my safety but also my colleagues'.
“That it was only three females with a male who was around 6ft 2in resisting and assaulting officers made me feel vulnerable.
“I will never forget this – it will be something that stays with me throughout my career. I did not expect to go to work that day to be assaulted. I was just carrying out my duties.”
More than 4,240 assaults were committed against emergency workers in Wales, including police, fire and ambulance crews, in the period between April 2019 and November 2020.
To get the latest news from WalesOnline sent straight to your email inbox click here .
