Shoplifter Jailed For Attacking Police

A shoplifter, who spat at and headbutted police when caught after a foot chase, has been locked-up.

Terry Purser, 48, of Green Dragon Lane, Brentford took wire cutters to High Street, Ealing and nicked £400 worth of goods from a local business.

At Isleworth Crown Court he received twelve months imprisonment for theft and assaulting police.

On Thursday, December 2, last year officers from Ealing Broadway and Ealing Common safer neighbourhood teams were on patrol in the area.

They were alerted by store detectives, who were chasing a shoplifter. 

Police assisted in capturing Purser, who had to be restrained as he struggled with the officers.

He spat at them and PC Boast tried to protect himself by extending his arm towards Purser. 

The defendant then proceeded to headbutt PC Boast’s hand, which caused the officer's shoulder to dislocate.

Sergeant James Lenton, supervisor for the Ealing neighbourhood teams said: “This is a positive result and gives a clear message to people who assault emergency workers who are simply trying to do their job and serve their communities as well as those who steal that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated. 

“Nobody comes to work to get injured or assaulted. Sentencing Purser to a period of imprisonment rightly recognises this.”