A Montgomery man who assaulted two police officers while under arrest for robbery has today (Monday, 12 February 2018) been sentenced to four and a half years in prison.
Simon Paul Jones, aged 25, of Montgomery, attacked a shop assistant at the town's Spar with a three-inch blade on Tuesday, 2 January 2018. After making demands for money Jones held the knife at his victim and shoved and punched him to the head before making off from the store without any cash. The victim sustained minor injuries.
Jones was arrested a short time later at a pub in Welshpool. In police custody he became aggressive, biting PC Andrew Taylor on the arm and punching Sergeant Philip Edwards, resulting in damage to his watch and cuts and bruises to his face.
He was charged with attempted robbery, two counts of assaulting a constable and criminal damage on January 3 and remanded in custody. He pleaded guilty to all charges at Mold Crown Court earlier this month.
Deputy Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police, Darren Davies, said: “In Dyfed-Powys Police we take violent crime extremely seriously, and this is a particularly nasty case. Not only was an innocent member of the public assaulted at work, but also two police officers as they were going about their duties. Nobody should be expected to put up with violence at work.”
Newtown Custody Sergeant, Philip Edwards, said: “Unfortunately, over the 15 years I have worked in custody I have been assaulted more than once. It always leaves me feeling upset – it shouldn’t be part of the job. This time, I was most upset about my watch - a Christmas present from my young children - being broken.”
PC Andrew Taylor, added: “When I saw Sergeant Edwards being attacked I didn’t think twice about helping, but sadly, people don’t seem to consider the impact of their violent behaviour. Because I was bitten I’m now waiting for hospital test results.”
The officer in charge of the investigation, DC Daniel Livermore, said: “Upon viewing the footage of this incident I was shocked and concerned for the welfare of my colleagues, who had been subjected to such violence while in a controlled environment - their workplace.
"As an investigator I see an increased level of assaults on officers, especially those on the front line of policing. All too often officers brush this off as just being part of the job, but this sort of behaviour should not be tolerated and would not be considered acceptable in any other circumstances.”
In line with national guidance and 25 other police forces nationally, Dyfed-Powys Police is planning the roll-out of spit and bite guards to all front line officers in the near future. More information will be released at the time.
