OFFICER ASSAULTS
Leo Clarke passing out ceremony in February 2020 with Tim Stonebridge
PC Leo Clarke
Liz Groom
ASSAULTED OFFICER LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AFTER BLEED ON BRAIN
The Chair of Cambridgeshire Police Federation says she was “saddened and stunned” that a man who nearly killed one of her colleagues was jailed for just 20 months. Liz Groom spoke out on behalf of
her colleague, PC Leo Clarke, who was punched by Joshua Gull, 27, in Peterborough on 8 February and later suffered a bleed on his brain. It would almost certainly have
proved fatal if not for the quick thinking of Leo’s sergeant and colleagues who noticed he was disorientated afterwards and had him taken to hospital. Liz explained: “Leo was on his
way to another incident when he was diverted to attend a report of a male being threatening and violent at his grandmother’s house. On body-worn video you can see the defendant swearing and shouting and Leo calmly trying to talk to him.” A witness saw several punches be
thrown, with one connecting with Leo’s head. The situation was finally resolved when back-up arrived but back at the station Leo complained of a headache and started not making sense. Two hours later he was having emergency surgery to remove a bleed.
Thankfully the surgery was
successful, but Leo is faced with a significant time away from work to recover and has had his driving licence removed for six months because of double vision. “He’s desperate to get back to work,” said Liz. “But we’ve said to Leo that he must rest and take the time he needs – he’s 24 and young in service, hopefully he has 30 years to do everything he wants to do, but it’s frustrating for him to have to rely on his family for assistance. He’s the most unselfish officer I’ve ever come across and very humble.” His attacker pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm but, despite his 20-month prison sentence, he could be out in eight to nine months due to time spent on remand, Liz said. She added: “The sentence was
a surprise. When you think people get longer for a cannabis factory, for growing some plants, and here we had an officer in hospital with potentially fatal or career ending injuries. Had officers not picked up on Leo’s change in behaviour and had his sergeant sent him home, he would have died. “Leo is disappointed because he
doesn’t want this to happen to anybody else and he feels that the sentence sends the wrong message. I agree – if you don’t give the appropriate sentence there will be no deterrent for assaulting officers, people will just think it is acceptable. Leo was pleased to see the public comments – we had members of the public saying it was appalling and we should appeal it. I have asked the Chief and he is looking into that.” The Federation is continuing to
provide practical and welfare support for Leo and his loved ones. Liz said: “I don’t think there can
be anything worse for the family than having that knock on the door. Leo’s girlfriend said that she saw the shape of the uniform outside and her heart sank. It was difficult for Leo’s mum and dad who couldn’t sit with him in hospital because of Covid. “It has been really hard on the
family but they are incredibly proud of Leo and what he does. You can go 30 years without this kind of assault and hopefully this is the last time.” Leo will be Cambridgeshire branch’s nominee for this year’s Police Federation Bravery Awards.
07 I POLICE I JUNE 2021
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