A Morecambe man has been jailed for four years and 10 months for a vicious attack on a police officer earlier this year.
19-year-old Jamie Joss, of Needham Avenue, Morecambe, appeared before Preston Crown Court this week after he attacked a police officer following a street brawl in the town.
Officers were dispatched to Morecambe’s Queen Street in the early hours of 18th June , after reports of a fight involving a large number of people. Sergeant James Martin was patrolling the area in his liveried car when he saw Joss covered in blood and stopped to check on his welfare.
Joss then produced a broken bottle from behind his back and thrust it through the car window at Sergeant Martin’s face and neck.
Fortunately, the officer was able to roll onto his side and pull up his stab vest, preventing any injuries, even though Joss continued to run alongside the car, jabbing the bottle through the open window.
Despite the violence being shown towards him, Sergeant Martin gave chase to Joss on foot and due to his continued violent demeanour, Joss had to be restrained using pava spray.
At the time of the attack, Joss was subject to a 32-week suspended sentence, following an incident on Marine Road, Morecambe, on 16th October last year, where he assaulted a 42-year-old man, breaking his leg.
Appearing at Preston Crown Court on Monday, the suspended sentence was applied and, having earlier pleaded guilty to assault on a police officer, possession of an offensive weapon and attempted grievous bodily harm, Joss was sentenced to a total of four years and 10 months imprisonment.
On sentencing, Judge Altham described Sergeant Martin as “showing outstanding courage” when being attacked with a “ferocious weapon.”
Chief Superintendent Richard Bayly, divisional commander for the north of the county, said: “At the time of the incident Sergeant Martin was in full uniform and in a liveried vehicle. This was not a personal attack but one on a police officer and what he therefore represents.
“This was an extremely violent experience for Sergeant Martin to have to go through but he showed real courage in carrying out his duty to protect the public – going on to arrest Joss even after he narrowly missed serious injury during the attack.”
“Our officers patrol the streets to ensure the safety of our communities,” he added. “Violent assaults on them will not be tolerated and as this sentence shows, such incidents will be dealt with strongly by the courts.”