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26
Jan 2021
Harrogate police officer's 'overwhelming pain' after ankle fracture assault
A Harrogate police officer has described how he lay in “overwhelming pain” after being assaulted so badly he couldn't work for six months.
Traffic Constable David Minto suffered fractures and extensive ligament damage to his lower leg when he was attacked by Harrogate man Shane Povey.
TC Minto was attending a report of antisocial behaviour when Povey became aggressive. A tussle followed, and he grappled TC Minto to the floor, twisting his leg. TC Minto said:
As he crawled to safety, other officers arrested Povey.
TC Minto, who works in the roads policing group, was taken to hospital where he was treated for a complicated ankle fracture with extensive ligament damage, which had to be pinned.
'You feel cheated'
He spent one-and-a-half months on crutches with his leg in plaster, then the same time again in a supportive leg brace. He said:
Povey, 38, of Dene Park, Harrogate, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.
He was convicted of grievous bodily harm against TC Minto, and also the harassment of a woman and possessing a weapon, which accounted for a longer sentence. He received a 10-year restraining order for the harassment.
The attack took place on 31 July 2019. TC Minto returned to work in January last year on restricted duties until April.
Assaults on police up 45 per cent
Official figures show that in the six months to the end of January 2020, North Yorkshire Police made 104 arrests following assaults against emergency services workers.
But in the same period to late January 2021, 150 arrests were made – an increase of 45%.
TC Minto said:
Read more:
- Police warning after spate of thefts from cars in Harrogate
- Assaults on North Yorkshire police up 60% during lockdown
North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Lisa Winward said:
North Yorkshire Police figures show that in the last month, 36 arrests have been made following assaults on emergency service personnel – an average of more than one a day.
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