Man charged after Police officer injured during Southend arrest

The officer suffered a serious ankle injury

Author: Ellie CloutePublished 23rd Apr 2024

A man has been charged after a police officer in Southend was injured whilst making an arrest, after reports of shop theft.

Officers in Southend High Street were responding after a person reportedly left a shop without paying on Saturday afternoon, around 3:30pm.

A statement from Chief Inspector Jo Collins, Southend District Commander, said the officer was "receiving treatment and support" after the incident.

After detaining a man in handcuffs, a struggle followed with the officer suffering a serious injury to his ankle.

34-year-old man Jean Lemaitre, no fixed address, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm, two counts of common assault, theft from a shop and using threatening or abusive words or behaviour.

He appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Monday 22 April, where he was released on bail with conditions until a hearing at Basildon Crown Court on Friday 24 May.

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