Boy, 16, who left officer's nose 'hanging off' in savage attack avoids prison

A 16-year-old boy who left a female officer's nose 'hanging off' in a savage attack has walked free from court.

PC Maddie Hayes, 24, who required extensive facial surgery, is due to receive just £600 in compensation after being punched in the face by the teen.

She suffered a tear to her nostril, a broken nose and septum and other horrific injuries in the assault.

Police have described her attacker's sentence as 'disgracefully lenient' and 'utterly appalling'.

PC Hayes released horrifying photos of her injuries after she was attacked during a stop and search on September 12 last year.

The officer, who needs further surgery, had three months off work following the vicious assault and still struggles to breathe properly now.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reason, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to a police constable at Leicester Magistrates' Court last month.

On Monday he avoided being locked up and walked free from court with a 12 month community service order.

The boy, of Swadlincote, Derbyshire, was also told to pay £600 compensation to the Leicestershire Police officer.

After the case, Leicestershire Police Federation's branch chairman spoke on social media of his disgust at the soft sentence.

Adam Commons tweeted: "Quite frankly I'm disgusted with this result, words can't express what I'm thinking.

"Leicspolice and CCLeicsPolice have done an outstanding job of supporting PC Hayes, we now need to let her rest and recover #ProtectTheProtectors."

Steve James, the chair of Gloucestershire Police Federation, replied: "Adam, I agree, that's a disgracefully lenient sentence and completely understand your anger.

"Thoughts with your officer and hope she's recovering well."

Retired police officer Steph Morgan added: "I was spitting feathers. Utterly appalling result."

Rookie PCSO, a Twitter account belonging to a former 999 call handler, tweeted: "12 months and £600 is an absolute outrage."

Steve Harley wrote: "A ridiculously lenient sentence, what the hell has happened to our judiciary allowing violent to get off with assaulting those who keep us safe?

"It should have been a lengthy prison term imho.... Get well soon constable and thank you for looking after us."

The court heard the attack took place when PC Hayes tried to restrain the youth, who was considerably bigger than her, during a stop and search in Ashby, Leicestershire.

She was taken to Queens Hospital Burton with a broken nose, a broken septum, a deep laceration and tear to her nose and nostril, significant swelling and bruising.

She had to undergo emergency surgery to try and fix her nose and also had to have six internal stitches and 11 external stitches.

Three months on she is unable to breathe through her right nostril and has limited breathing through her left nostril due to exposed cartilage.

Speaking previously, PC Hayes said she suffered pain she "had never experienced before"

She added: "It happened so quickly and I didn't know what had hit me. I just felt extreme pain and realised I couldn't see properly either.

"It does make me angry that I was out doing my job and I have been attacked in this way.

"It shouldn't be accepted that I am attacked in my job and left with injuries like this that will be with me for the rest of my life."

NPA Commander for North West Leicestershire, Inspector Rich Jackson said: "This was a shocking and vicious attack on an officer doing her job to protect others.

"The photographs of our officer's awful injuries chilled all who saw them.

"We acknowledge the court's decision of a community order but we strongly hope the young man, who pleaded guilty, will chose to do more to atone for his crime and start over.

"Attacks on police officers are simply not acceptable. We must protect our protectors.

"Full support has been and remains in place for the police officer who has bravely shared her story to raise awareness of an issue which needs to be stopped.

"It is not acceptable for anyone to be attacked and assaulted in their job and we will not tolerate this happening to our officers.

"Action will be taken and we will ensure anyone who commits this offence is brought before the courts."Follow the Official Rokna NEWS Telegram Channel For More and fresh NEWS.

Mirror