Glynn Leedell, 46, was sentenced to four years and six months at Sheffield Crown Court on Aug. 29 after pleading guilty to wounding with intent for slashing a police officer’s neck during an arrest in Rotherham on July 17.
Prosecutors said officers had attended a property in the Kimberworth Park area after multiple people reported Leedell was acting aggressively and had threatened a woman. Video released from the incident shows officers speaking to a man through a window before they enter a house where one officer greets a dog and moves through a hallway.
The footage then shows a shirtless Leedell suddenly emerge from a doorway wielding a knife. He shouts "Come on then" and appears to lunge at the officer, inflicting a wound to the back of the officer’s neck. A frantic struggle followed as colleagues subdued Leedell and removed the weapon. One officer can be heard telling the suspect, "Let go of that knife. Now," while another says, "I've got the knife." The arresting officer tells Leedell, "Put your hand behind your back now," and later tells him, "Right you're locked up for attempt section 18 - two attempts to kill."
Police said the injured officer required hospital treatment for a serious neck wound. A second officer sustained injuries to his hand during the confrontation.
Leedell was also charged with harassment and assault of an emergency worker; those counts will remain on file, the Crown Prosecution Service said. The wounding-with-intent charge carried the prison term handed down at Sheffield Crown Court.
Rotherham District Commander Chief Superintendent Andy Wright said the attack was "a disgraceful act of violence which could have had devastating consequences." He commended the officers for their "bravery" in restraining Leedell and removing the knife despite sustaining injuries, and said the sentencing should serve as a reminder that aggression towards officers will not be tolerated.
Court papers showed officers had gone to the address after reports that Leedell had been behaving threateningly towards a woman, making her feel unsafe in her own home. The sentencing follows the guilty plea to wounding with intent earlier in the proceedings and resolves the most serious charge arising from the July incident.
Police forces have repeatedly warned that attacks on emergency workers are treated seriously and can attract significant custodial sentences. In this case, authorities said the prompt actions of attending officers prevented further injury to the public and those involved in the arrest.