A police officer was headbutted by a man who had been placed in handcuffs after he had been holding a knife to his own throat. The officer suffered a cut near his eye.
Lee Griffiths, 31, assaulted PC Jack Droogan outside his home in Pontypool on July 29, 2023, after the police had been called over concerns for his welfare. When officers arrived at the property, the defendant indicated he wanted to end his own life and was holding a knife to his neck.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday heard the officers managed to calm Griffiths down, who smelt strongly of intoxicants. He was put into handcuffs so officers could search him and check if he was still in possession of a knife.
Prosecutor Paul Hewitt played body worn footage of the incident, during which Griffiths could be heard saying “What’s the f****** point?”. He was told to “relax” by officers but suddenly headbutted PC Droogan without warning. He was then arrested, as the officer was told to “stand down” by his colleagues.
PC Droogan attended hospital to receive treatment for a cut below his eyebrow and was left with a scar. The officer said he had become “apprehensive” upon his return to work and now wants a colleague with him when attending scenes of crime.
Griffiths, of Penylan Road, Varteg, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The court heard he has six previous convictions, including resisting a police officer and breaching a community order.
In mitigation, the court was told the defendant was given a “too high” dose of regular steroids, and expressed regret for his actions. It was said he had attempted to contact PC Droogan in order to explain the difficulties he was under. The defendant is now studying for a law degree at the University of South Wales.
Sentencing, Judge Paul Hobson said: “The officers tried to engage with you and you repaid that by being aggressive and headbutting PC Droogan. I noticed the extreme violence shown by you and also the officers’ behaviour with you in the moments leading up to what happened. They behaved entirely properly and treated you with respect by trying to deescalate the situation.”
Griffiths was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to carry out a 10 day rehabilitation activity requirement and a mental health treatment requirement for 12 months.
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