11:24am Tuesday 16th March 2010
By Wendy Barlow
A POLICE officer’s career is hanging in the balance after a violent yob booted him and smashed his arm in two places, a court was told.
PC Michael Johnson’s arm was smashed when his 17-year-old attacker took a running kick at him as he tried to detain the defendant’s friend.
The victim is now facing an uncertain future as one of the bones has not healed, Burnley Youth Court heard.
The Nelson youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was on bail for an unprovoked assault on a woman and for stamping on a man on the same day and had been taking drink and drugs when he struck in the early hours of January 16.
He is now starting a 22-month term of detention, after admitting causing grievous bodily harm with intent to prevent lawful apprehension of an-other person and two charges of assault causing actual bodily harm.
The prosecutor said the officer was last seen by medics on March 4 and had been told if the injury did not heal and he has to have a plate in it, his career could be affected, because of potential weakness in his arm.
Miss Reddish added: “At this stage he still doesn't know whether his police career could be in jeopardy or not.”
The defendant was interviewed, said he had been to an 18th birthday party and told officers he could not remember what had happened that night. The officer had been on duty alone in Burnley town centre when he saw a group of young men, one of them apparently snorting cocaine.
He found a bag of powder on him, told the youth he was under arrest but he ran off, turning into Ormerod Street with the officer in pursuit.
A bouncer from Smackwater Jacks club detained him, he struggled and both the youth and PC Johnson went to the ground.
The officer was on top of him trying to restrain him and the 17-year-old ran at PC Johnson aiming a kick at his head.
The victim managed to shield his head with his arm but it was broken in two places.
The 17-year-old was finally detained by other patrols and door staff.
Nick Cassidy, for the defendant, said he had witnessed domestic violence. accepted he had issues that perhaps needed addressing and intended to obtain counselling. He accepted drink and drugs were not the answer.
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