A judge has questioned why two men, who attacked and injured a pair of police officers, were not charged with more serious offences.
Kursan Euaell, 20, and Martin Payne, 19, left one policeman with a broken rib and fly-kicked another female officer into the path of a bus after they were pulled over in a BMW.
Today, the men both pleaded guilty at Kingston Crown Court, where it was revealed they had both assaulted police officers before.
The court heard how Euaell has an extensive criminal record going back to 2011, while Payne had his first conviction in 2014.
Judge Sarah Plaschkes QC raised concerns over why the Crown Prosecution Service had not charged the pair with more serious assault charges, as Actual Bodily Harm charges carry a maximum of five years behind bars.
Paramedic struck off for dismissing patient's stroke as 'just a migraine'
The court is concerned if these counts reflect the full criminality of this offence, she said.
Advertisement
Advertisement
These offences were committed on the street at night in the presence of members of the public. Im not giving any indication one way or another as to the courts eventual sentence.
Ive indicated already my concern. As I say its a matter for the Crown.
Euell kicked PC Lorraine McGinty in the back of the head and fractured one of PC John Collins ribs during the attack on November 17.
Met Police commissioner Cressida Dick called on the public to get involved if they see police officers being assaulted after the violence was videoed on a mobile phone.
Wife who pretended to have cancer to get £250,000 from husband and family jailed
Prosecutor Stephen Apted said: When PCs McGinty and Collins carried out a routine traffic stop of a BMW motor vehicle in which Payne was the driver and Euell was one of the passengers.
During the course of that routine stop the officers were assaulted.
PC McGinty sustained a wound to the back of her head and PC Collins sustained cuts and grazing, an injury to his finger as well as a fractured rib.
To my knowledge PC McGinty has still not returned to work.
The court heard that Euell, of Catford, south east London, had a long criminal history, with previous convictions going back to 2011 for attempted robbery, batter, further counts of battery and robbery.
Advertisement
Advertisement
They were also told that he had a history of failing to comply with court orders, burglary, offences of assaulting police officers and had previously appeared in court for possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, an offence of robbery and an offence of assaulting a constable.
Moment Jamelia's step-brother gunned down rival gang member outside snooker club
The judge said his most recent conviction was in April last year and added: So in this circumstances Im minded to to adjourn for a pre sentence report.
The court also heard that Payne, of New Malden, south west London, had been previously charged with assault with intent to resist arrest, robbery, theft, possessing a prohibited weapon and affray in 2014.
While in 2016, he was arrested for breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order, violent disorder, possessing an offensive weapon.
Euell pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning ABH.
Payne admitted ABH against PC Collin, as well as driving without insurance or licence during the incident.
The men were remanded in custody ahead of sentencing in January, when the horrifying footage of the attack in Merton, south London, will be played in court.
Advertisement
Advertisement
[contf]
[contfnew]
METRO
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
