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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Pc samurai sword attacker jailed | Pc samurai sword attacker jailed |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A man who attacked a police officer with a samurai sword has been given an indeterminate jail sentence, to protect the public. | |
| Richard Skeates was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court for wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm. | Richard Skeates was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court for wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm. |
| The 45-year-old, of St Hilda's Way, Gravesend, was found guilty after video footage of the aftermath taken on a helmet camera was shown to a jury. | The 45-year-old, of St Hilda's Way, Gravesend, was found guilty after video footage of the aftermath taken on a helmet camera was shown to a jury. |
| Pc John Clarke was slashed across his forehead by Skeates on 20 October 2007. | Pc John Clarke was slashed across his forehead by Skeates on 20 October 2007. |
| Skeates was told he would serve at least five and a half years before he could be considered for parole. | Skeates was told he would serve at least five and a half years before he could be considered for parole. |
| My first priority was to try to get him to the floor so he could be arrested Pc John Clarke | My first priority was to try to get him to the floor so he could be arrested Pc John Clarke |
| Kent Police said it was the first time video filmed from their officers' head or body cameras at the scene had been used as evidence in court. | Kent Police said it was the first time video filmed from their officers' head or body cameras at the scene had been used as evidence in court. |
| The video was filmed by another officer as Pc Clarke, 27, was treated by paramedics. | The video was filmed by another officer as Pc Clarke, 27, was treated by paramedics. |
| The officers had gone to Skeates' home to arrest him for breaching an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASsbo) served on 24 May 2007 banning him from being violent or abusive, or possessing weapons in a public place. | The officers had gone to Skeates' home to arrest him for breaching an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASsbo) served on 24 May 2007 banning him from being violent or abusive, or possessing weapons in a public place. |
| Pc Clark was attacked when they forced entry into the house following about 30 minutes of attempted negotiation. Several martial arts weapons were also found in Skates' home. | Pc Clark was attacked when they forced entry into the house following about 30 minutes of attempted negotiation. Several martial arts weapons were also found in Skates' home. |
| Bravery award | Bravery award |
| Ch Supt Paul Brandon, area commander for North Kent, said Skeates had a "fixation" with martial arts weapons and was willing to use extreme violence. | Ch Supt Paul Brandon, area commander for North Kent, said Skeates had a "fixation" with martial arts weapons and was willing to use extreme violence. |
| He added: "Pc John Clarke is an outstanding officer who is recognised by his colleagues as being at the forefront of policing the neighbourhoods and streets of North Kent." | He added: "Pc John Clarke is an outstanding officer who is recognised by his colleagues as being at the forefront of policing the neighbourhoods and streets of North Kent." |
| Pc Clarke has a permanent scar on his forehead from the attack | Pc Clarke has a permanent scar on his forehead from the attack |
| Pc Clarke was awarded the North Kent Outstanding Performer of the Year and will be honoured with a bravery award later this year. | Pc Clarke was awarded the North Kent Outstanding Performer of the Year and will be honoured with a bravery award later this year. |
| He said: "When Skeates came at me with the sword my first priority was to try to get him to the floor so he could be arrested. | He said: "When Skeates came at me with the sword my first priority was to try to get him to the floor so he could be arrested. |
| "I knew he had swung the sword at my head, but I didn't realise he had actually made contact until I had knocked Skeates to the floor and I realised I couldn't see because there was blood in my eyes." | "I knew he had swung the sword at my head, but I didn't realise he had actually made contact until I had knocked Skeates to the floor and I realised I couldn't see because there was blood in my eyes." |
| The constable said he is often asked how he got his scar while on duty. | The constable said he is often asked how he got his scar while on duty. |
| "Normally no-one believes me if I say I was hit by a samurai sword, so I often tell people I fell off my bike," he added. | "Normally no-one believes me if I say I was hit by a samurai sword, so I often tell people I fell off my bike," he added. |