Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
08
Feb
Pair admit ‘vicious attack’ on police officer in Harrogate
A man and woman have admitted a “vicious attack” on a police officer in Harrogate.
Perrie Whitfield, 25, and Liam Fisher, 29, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (February 6) where they confirmed their names, addresses and entered pleas.
Fisher admitted assault on two named police officers in Harrogate on January 12 this year.
Meanwhile, Whitfield pleaded guilty to assault on a named officer on the same date. She also admitted a drink driving charge on the same day.
Mel Ibbertson, prosecuting, told the court that a named police officer (Officer A) was following a Mazda car on Knaresborough Road towards the Empress roundabout in Harrogate at 8.20pm.
Ms Ibbertson said the car was “struggling to maintain lanes” and the officer pulled the car over on Skipton Road after finding that it had no MOT.
Whitfield was driving the car, the court heard, and appeared intoxicated.
She was asked to get out of the car and sit in the police vehicle to carry out a breathalyser check. Officer A asked her to close the car door while she did the check, but she refused.
Ms Ibbertson said Whitfield then “became aggressive” and Fisher tried to calm her down.
However, the court heard that Fisher later became abusive after he took issue with the way the officer was behaving towards Whitfield.
At this point, Officer A calls for backup to help handle the situation.
‘Vicious attack’
When Officer B arrives, both try to handcuff Whitfield on suspicion of drink driving but Fisher “does not get out of the way”, Ms Ibbertson said.
The court heard that Fisher then punches Officer B which “knocks him backwards” and continues to “strike him”.
Ms Ibbertson said:
He [Fisher] was continuing to try and strike [Officer B]. He continued to launch a vicious attack with multiple punches.
Officer A tried to grab hold of both of the defendants, the court heard, but Whitfield then ran towards Officer B and punched him.
Fisher is then tasered in order to stop the attack, the prosecution said.
Ms Ibbertson told the court that Officer B “felt dazed” after being punched and had to go to hospital with pain in his jaw.
She added:
He said he has not been subjected to this level of violence as a police officer.
‘Overstepped the mark’
Martin Townend, defending, said both defendants had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
He said the pair had been visiting family in Harrogate at the time and that Whitfield, of Newton Aycliffe, accepted that she was driving the vehicle while intoxicated.
Mr Townend told the court that Whitfield suffers from anxiety and depression and “has been through a lot”.
The defence added that Fisher, of Windermere in Cumbria, had been looking at the incident “from afar” and felt that Officer A “became a bit over physical”.
Mr Townend told the court:
He did not see the need for the treatment. He stepped in to calm it down, but accepts that he overstepped the mark. He regrets and is remorseful for his behaviour.
Magistrates adjourned the case for sentencing until March 28, 2025, at Harrogate Magistrates Court.
0