Drink-Driver Jailed For Battering Policeman With His Own Baton

A drink-driver, who collided with another motorist, headbutted a policeman as he was being arrested and smashed the officer over the head with his own baton.

Tex Baker, 27, of Kingsland, Harlow, Essex was jailed for five years and four months for atacking the 34 year-old officer as he tried to handcuff him in Sewardstone Road, Chingford on October 27, last year.

He was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court of causing grievous bodly harm, with intent, and driving with excess alcohol and was also banned from driving for two years.

Police were initially called to reports of a damage-only collision involving a suspected drunken driver.

The arresting officer was handcuffing Baker when he launched a sustained attack head-butting him several times and punching him.

He also managed to take the baton out of the officer’s hand and struck him over the head with it, leaving the policeman covered in blood.

Detective Chief Inspector Rob Plumb, from Waltham Forest Borough, said: “Officers on the frontline routinely face danger - it’s the nature of the job.

“However, to attack anyone in this way, including a police officer, is a serious matter and this sentence shows the courts will not tolerate such despicable behaviour.”