Attack left officer with broken jaw and lost teeth

A man has been sentenced over an attack that left a police officer with a broken jaw and teeth needing to be removed.

In September 2022, Denon Taylor, then aged 17, assaulted two officers who had been called to Cort Crescent in Leicester and were stopped by Taylor while trying to arrest another suspect.

Taylor grabbed one of the officers in a headlock, squeezing her neck, before flinging the other officer across the road, Leicestershire Police said.

Now aged 20, Taylor was sentenced to three years in a youth offenders' institution at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday, for grievous bodily harm, non-fatal strangulation and three other charges.

The two officers were initially called to reports of individuals causing damage to vehicles using weapons.

They tried to make an arrest, but Taylor, who was with a suspect, intervened and helped them run away, the force said.

In doing so, he attacked the two officers, leaving one with cuts to her hand and bruises to her knee and face.

The other officer, who was thrown across the road, sustained a broken jaw, split gum and lost five teeth, police added.

Taylor, formerly of Cort Crescent, was found guilty of grievous bodily harm and non-fatal strangulation after a trial last month.

He was also sentenced for separate offences of burglary, theft and failing to surrender.

Temporary Chief Constable David Sandall said the attack "is a stark reminder" of the dangers faced daily by officers and showed "the totally unacceptable behaviours officers must confront and the bravery they show to keep people safe".

Mr Sandall added: "I want to reassure all emergency workers that all reports are taken seriously, and we will not accept it as merely something that comes with the job.

"As this case demonstrates those responsible will be pursued and prosecuted."

Det Con Tom Rockett, the investigating officer, said the case "highlights the level of violence the officers were subjected to and the extent of their injuries".

"Taylor not only prevented the officers from carrying out their duties but then also went a step further by viciously attacking them," he added.

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.