'It's a disgrace courts are failing to act'

A RISING number of yobs who appear in court for repeatedly attacking 999 workers are being “let off” with sentences which allow them to avoid prison.

- By Matthew Davis

Some offenders are in the dock for the second, third or even fourth time for assaulting emergency service workers, yet still manage to swerve jail terms.

Statistics show almost 40 offenders keep their liberty each week despite being prosecuted for a repeat attack on staff.

Sarah Morgan got a suspended sentence for assaulting two female PCs in January, after punching them in the face during a drunken disturbance at a home in Leicester.

The court heard Morgan had two previous convictions for attacking emergency workers, receiving a non-custodial sentence both times.

The Assaults on Emergency Workers Bill came into effect in 2018 amid hopes it would provide added protection to frontline staff in the police, prison, fire and health services.

But figures show almost four in five offenders escaped with a non-custodial sentence.

The Act was introduced after MPs were appalled at stories of how 999 workers were routinely subjected to violence and aggression while carrying out their duties.