Man fought off Southend police in attempted arrest for woman's injuries

Jerome Clarke was approached by officers in Stromness Road, Southend, on February 28 last year following a report of a disturbance.

After finding a woman injured, officers attempted to arrest the 29 year old.

Clarke managed to escape the two officers after they forced him to the ground.

Prosecuting, John Livingstone said: “When they got there, they could see a young woman who had visible facial injuries and, as a result, they arrested the defendant who was the other person at the address.

“Firstly he said ‘you need to speak to her, that’s the occupant, I don’t know what’s going on’. Clarke grabbed hold of his hand to prevent him putting the handcuffs on.

“He was resisting more and more. The other police officer came to assist and the two officers managed to put him to the ground, but that did not stop the incident.

“He continued to kick out and tried to push himself up from the ground and get away from the police officers.

“He then managed to grab hold of a low wall which was to the side of the garden. That enabled him to pull himself up forward and escape.

READ MORE:

• Rapist convicted of 'distressing' sexual assault where woman was attacked with scissors
• Where every drug crime has been reported in south Essex this year - is your street on the list?

“The police officer tried to grab his clothing but Clarke managed to slip out of his clothing.”

Mr Livingstone said Clarke, of North Circular Road, London, ran around the corner before fleeing in a car.

Clarke was later arrested and admitted assaulting emergency workers.

He was not charged in relation to the injured woman.

Mitigating, Sheen Rahman said Clarke had travelled to Southend with a friend and that he had “nothing to do with” the woman’s attack.

He said: “He’s had a very difficult upbringing.

“He had a detox in prison in 2020 and has since been completely alcohol and drug free.”

Recorder Lesley Cuthbert said: “Emergency workers are performing a public service for everyone. When they are injured it causes a number of after effects to the resources available to other incidents.”

He gave Clarke a conditional discharge for three years, meaning if he doesn’t offend again, he will face no further action.