Man who attacked Sussex Police officer avoids jail
Sgt Alec Barrett was punched while trying to break up a fight in Brighton
A man who assaulted a Sussex Police officer in Brighton, leaving him with serious injuries, has avoided jail.
Sgt Alec Barrett was punched in the head from behind while attempting to break up a fight in the city last month.
He was then punched several more times in the face, leaving him with injuries including a concussion, a broken eye socket, a broken nose and damage to his cheek.
19-year-old Jonathan Beauchamp, of Old Barn Way in Southwick, was given a year’s custodial sentence suspended for two years at Lewes Crown Court.
He was also put on a five-month curfew and ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work and pay ÂŁ2,000 in compensation.
Following the attack, Sgt Barrett said:
“I was in a vulnerable position on the ground when the man sucker-punched me from a position that I didn’t see coming.
"When I regained full consciousness, I looked up to try to work out what had happened as I knew I was defenceless, he then punched me again a few more times in the face whilst standing over me.
"My face is horrendously swollen, initially located around my eye, but now it’s around my cheek and one side of my face.
"I’ve been assaulted before, but I now find myself apprehensive about going back to work, especially operational duty, where I might be in the same position again, it’s affected me and my family who now worry about me going to work”.
Sgt Raffaele Cioffi, Deputy Secretary of Sussex Police Federation, called the attack 'lenient':
“Let’s not forget that Sgt Barrett was trying to protect members of the public and was violently attacked for doing so, he was lucky not to have been blinded.
“The Federation continues to call on the courts to do their bit and protect the protectors, custodial sentences are the strongest deterrent to stop these kinds of attacks - anything less does not protect us.
"Sadly, yet again, we see the courts going soft on violent crime, it’s an outrageous decision by the court and I fear officers will continue to be seriously injured until they take it seriously.”
Sgt Barrett said:
“It’s been a reality check about the dangers of my job. I’ve had calls from people in the force with good wishes and the Federation have supported me, lots of people have been in touch, which is a really nice gesture, and it is really appreciated”.