Series of assaults on police officers lead to two men appearing in court

Two men have appeared in court charged with multiple assaults of police officers.

Barry Ward, 34, of Clare Close, Mildenhall, was charged with assaulting six police officers and faced further charges of threatening behaviour and possession of an air gun.

Ward was arrested in St George’s Flats, Newmarket, in the early hours of Friday, October 30.

He appeared before Ipswich Magistrates (pictured above) on October 31 where he pleaded guilty and was remanded in custody until November 21.

Meanwhile, a 53-year-old man admitted assaulting 11 officers and two hospital nurses when he appeared before Ipswich Magistrates on Saturday, October 25, and was bailed to the Crown Court for sentencing in November.

He had been arrested earlier that day when officers were called to his home.

He has since been detained under Section 2 of the Mental Health Act.

In the past seven days, 13 other police officers have been assaulted by suspects and these incidents are currently being investigated.

Chief Superintendent Janine Wratten, County Policing Commander, said: “Assaults on police officers are unfortunately a regular occurrence, which on average occur more than once a day in Suffolk.

“This is totally unacceptable. Police officers – along with all emergency responders – frequently run towards danger and put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public.

“They should not then have to contend with people assaulting them in all manner of ways, which includes being spat at, bitten, kicked and punched.

“The sheer volume of assaults we are seeing is deeply concerning and we will not tolerate them.

“Those who assault police officers and other emergency workers can expect to be dealt with robustly and put before the courts to face the consequences of their actions.”