A man who slashed a police officer’s neck with a knife during an arrest in Rotherham has been sentenced to four years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to wounding with intent, court and police statements said.
The attack occurred on July 17 after officers attended a property in Kimberworth Park following multiple reports of threatening behaviour towards a woman. The injured officer required hospital treatment for a wound to the back of his neck, and a second officer received injuries to his hand during the incident. Glynn Leedell, 46, pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Aug. 29; counts of harassment and assault of an emergency worker will remain on file.
Video footage of the arrest shows officers initially speaking to a man through a window before entering the property. A male officer is seen walking through the hallway and is briefly distracted talking to a dog when a shirtless Leedell suddenly appears from a doorway armed with a knife and throws himself at the officer.
In the footage Leedell shouts, "Come on then," as the officer raises his arms in defence. A commotion follows in which officers wrestle Leedell to the floor while one colleague seizes the knife. At one point an officer is heard saying, "He's got a f***ing knife," and later: "Let go of that knife. Now." After the knife is wrestled away, the officer leading the arrest is heard telling Leedell: "Put your hand behind your back now." The camera then shows blood streaming from the injured officer's head and down his neck.
Police described the attack as violent and potentially devastating. Rotherham District Commander Chief Superintendent Andy Wright said the officers "put themselves at risk every day" and commended their bravery, adding that he was "thankful that the officers concerned did not suffer more serious injuries from this vicious attack." He said the officers removed the knife and restrained Leedell despite sustaining injuries and that the defendant had subjected an innocent woman to threats and abuse, leaving her feeling unsafe at home.
Leedell was charged with harassment, assault of an emergency worker and wounding with intent. The assault drew a prison term designed by the court to reflect the seriousness of violence against emergency workers and the risk posed by a knife attack in a domestic setting. Police statements said the sentence should serve as a reminder that aggression towards officers will not be tolerated.
The sentencing in late August follows the July 17 incident and the release of the body-worn camera footage showing the rapid escalation from a welfare-style check to a violent confrontation. Authorities did not disclose whether Leedell will face further proceedings on the counts left on file.