Two arrested after suspected drink driver who assaulted officer
A member of the public has been praised for helping to detain the driver
Two people have been charged after a member of the public and an Essex Police officer were injured whilst detaining a suspected drink driver.
Richie Jolly, 30, of Rubicon Avenue, Wickford, has been charged with common assault, assault by beating of an emergency worker, failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis and assault with intent to resist arrest.
Demi Viccary, 26, of Cranes Lane, Basildon, has been charged with obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty and two counts of common assault of an emergency worker.
They are both due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court this morning.
Police received a call from a McDonald's worker in Pitsea yesterday morning (June 25) at around 2:40am, reporting a suspected drink driver.
Upon arrival, a female police officer was assaulted whilst trying to detain the driver, who punched her in the face and 'launched kicks'.
A McDonald's member of staff stepped in to help and was also then assaulted, and received a cracked tooth and sprained fingers.
The member of the public has been praised by Essex Police.
The Officer was left bruised but continued with her shift after turning down medical treatment.
Detective Chief Inspector Jennifer Bliss said:
“I want to offer my own personal gratitude to the member of the public who went above and beyond to assist our officer, sustaining injury to himself in the process.
"Without his intervention I have no doubt my officer would have been in a far worse situation.
“We will be writing to him personally to express our thanks.
“I would also thank staff for quickly alerting us to this incident – we rely on intelligence received from the public to keep dangerous drink and drug drivers off our streets.
“I would like to commend our officer for her response to this incident, and her fortitude in detaining both suspects.
“This incident exemplifies the challenges our officers face on a daily basis dealing with even the most seemingly routine of incidents.
“Our officers work day-in-day out to keep the public safe. They never deserve to be subjected to violence for doing their jobs.”