14-year-old is handed a 12-month referral order for assaulting two Blackpool police officers

Rachel Hanley told the Gazette that an assault on a police officer is an assault on society after the 14-year-old was given a 12 month referral order following the incident earlier this month.

Blackpool’s Youth Court was told on Wednesday how the youth had anger in his face when he launched a kick at the policeman’s head and that he had kicked out like he was trying to kick a football as hard as he could.

It was the youth’s second attack on a police officer in the space of two months.

Pam Smith,prosecuting, said that the accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was a member of a gang of teenagers who were causing anti-social behaviour in the Gorton Street and Caunce Street areas, a problem for police since April which continues.

During the first incident when police were sent to the scene and tried to arrest one youngster the youth punched him in the head and ran off.

Police later traced him and when they went to arrest him at his home he resisted officers and swore at them.

In the second incident in the same area the accused came out of a crowd and launched a kick at an officer’s head which knocked the constable out and he needed hospital treatment.

The youth pleaded guilty to the two police assaults and resisting arrest.

In a statement one officer said: “The youth had anger in his face and kicked the officer on the head like kicking a football as hard as he could.”

The judge was told these were the youth’s first offences and she gave him a 12 month referral order.

The officer who was kicked will get £200 compensation and the other officer £50 compensation.

The judge told the defendant: “These are serious offences. You punched one officer on the head,then resisted arrest and two months later kicked another officer in the head knocking him out.”

“You are a lucky young man to have family supporting you. Many youths who come before me do so abandoned by their parents with no support.”

Despite this Rachel Hanley said: “This officer was attacked and left unconscious and needing hospital treatment, regardless of the age of the offender, officers should expect the full support of the judicial system.

“The physical and mental scars of these attacks often last a life time, while offenders walk away with little or no punishment.

“An assault on a police officer is an assault on society, we will not cease to campaign and lobby for those who assault our brave and hardworking colleagues to be given the harshest sentences – as punishment, and as a deterrent.

“This is the language offenders understand, and only then can we begin to stamp out this completely unacceptable behaviour.

“The sheer number of assaults is truly shocking, and it is high time the existing legislation was utilised as it was meant.”

The youth’s lawyer, Brett Chappel, told the hearing that the 14-year-old does not plan to associate with the gang again.

He said: “He has fallen in with the wrong crowd and has indulged in chaotic and belligerent behaviour.

“He does however tell me he is cutting ties with this group.”

The assault incidents are just one part of the problems officers are having to deal with the group of anti-social youths.

Blackpool Police have increased its presence in the Milbourne Street and Gorton Street area as well as Caunce Street which has included a number of Section 35 dispersal orders put in place in the last two weeks.

A number of other youths have also been arrested over anti-social behaviour in the area.