Lack of support from the judicial system means suspects who assault police officers frequently walk away from court.

What makes it acceptable for people who assault our emergency service workers to walk from court? Last year we saw numerous cases where police officers across the country were assaulted and their perpetrators walked away with very little punishment.

Officers already face difficult working conditions but when the suspect is arrested,charged and then walks away with a slap on the wrist and on one occasion not even face a trial, officers must really feel utter disappointment and a sense of ‘why do we even bother’.

In July last year, 47 year old Astrit Mala of no fixed abode was charged with two counts of assaulting an emergency service worker, two counts of public order offences, one of which was racially aggravated.

The two police officers had attended an address in Southall to support council staff who were carrying out an eviction. As they entered the address, the officers were confronted by Mala who threw the contents of a cup of tea into the face of both officers and then proceeded to grab a kettle and hurl scalding water at one of the officers causing burns to his face.

The officers withdrew to safety containing Mala inside the address. Specialist resources were then bought in and Mala was arrested. During the incident he shouted abuse at the officers, including racial slurs and threatened to kill them.

Mala appeared in court on December 7 where he was sentenced to 26 six weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. He walked away from court.

In November last year three police officers in Suffolk were assaulted by a suspect ,but due to a shortage of barristers the case could not be heard in court properly and the judge refused to adjourn the case. This meant the suspect who had 161 previous convictions, walked free. It is believed his previous convictions were all similar offences and as the judge refused to adjourn the case, a not guilty verdict was recorded.

The three officers must have felt a sheer demoralisation knowing that an individual who assaulted them and has 161 similar convictions against him, was able to not only walk away, but also have a not guilty verdict against him.

Both of these examples highlight how completely disheartening it is for officers. Not only are they assaulted doing their job which no one should be, but then when the case goes to trial, a slap on this wrist if that, is administered.

There are many factors that a judge must take into account when passing a sentence we all know that, but perhaps they can also remember that nobody goes to work to be assaulted. It is curious to wonder what punishment Mala would have received if he had thrown scalding water over a member of the judiciary system?

All those officers faced physical injuries, they would also have faced possible mental health impacts that would be compounded by the factor that their perpetrator received no, or very little punishment and they may well carry those scars mentally for years to come.

Once again our police officers are let down instead of actively being supported by the community around them.