Man Jailed for Spitting in Police Officer’s Eye

A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to one year in prison after spitting directly into a police officer’s eye during a violent arrest.

Stephen Lewis Vickery, of Helens Crescent, Pentraeth, appeared at Llandudno Magistrates Court today, Friday 11th July, where he admitted to two counts of assault by beating an emergency worker.

On 23rd May, Vickery was placed under arrest due to being wanted on a recall to prison. As he was handcuffed, he began to act violently towards officers, aggressively kicking and punching at them. Vickery continued to resist being arrested before spitting directly into the eye of a police officer.

District Inspector Wayne Francis said: “Whilst today’s court result may offer my colleagues some feeling of justice, the aftermath and worry of such an incident will clearly have a long-term impact on the officers’ lives; both personally and professionally.

“As a precaution, the officer is now undergoing medical assessments to determine whether they sustained any health-related consequences from the incident.

“As District Inspector I simply will not tolerate assaults against our officers, who bravely put themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis; this is a view which is shared by our senior leaders within North Wales Police.

“The officers involved are being supported by both the organisation and the Police Federation.”