Jail for Margate man who punched police officer in the face

A 25-year-old man has been jailed for 22 months after admitting to assaulting a Kent Police officer in Margate.

David Leen, of Salmestone Road, was jailed at Canterbury Crown Court on Tuesday 7 November after pleading guilty to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm.

The court heard how on Sunday 30 July the officer was called to a report of criminal damage at a pub in Margate. When the officer was reviewing CCTV and carrying out enquiries at the pub Leen became aggressive towards him and started to make threatening comments.

Threats

Leen was asked to leave and was escorted from the pub on to Margate Road. He then warned the officer he wanted to hit him and threatened to do so when he next found him off duty.

Following further threats Leen punched the officer in the face causing multiple fractures, which required hospital treatment. He was immediately arrested for assault and taken into custody.

Unprovoked

Investigating officer Detective Constable Kerry Whiting said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack on an officer who was just trying to do his job. He was carrying out enquiries for a genuine victim of crime when Leen became aggressive towards him and disrupted those enquiries. He even threatened to hurt him when off duty. This is absolutely unacceptable.

“!Kent Police will not tolerate such acts of violence towards anyone and whilst our officers can expect a certain level of danger, they should never be subjected to treatment like this. Thankfully Leen has been jailed for this attack and we hope the sentence sends a strong message to anyone who thinks they are above the law.”