Declan Diedrick accused of attempted murder remanded in custody

Declan Diedrick was not asked to enter pleas to the charges of attempted murder of PC Hollie Matthews and acting Sgt Gemma Sandy in a brief appearance at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday.

He was also not asked to enter a plea to a charge of possession of a knife.

The 23-year-old, of Hull Grove, Harlow, sat at a desk as he appeared by video-link from HMP Chelmsford.

Scene - Hull Grove (Image: Google)

He wore a prison-issue grey tracksuit and rested his arms and head, face down, on the desk for parts of the hearing.

The defendant spoke to confirm his identity and to let Judge Christopher Morgan know he could see and hear proceedings.

Essex Police said officers were called to Hull Grove just after 5.45pm on December 29 where they engaged with a man making threats while armed with a knife.

The force said one officer was admitted to hospital after suffering a wound to her head but has since been discharged, while a second officer did not need hospital treatment.

Diedrick was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder and one of possession of a knife.

Police said he was taken to hospital for treatment before being questioned by officers from Harlow CID, and that both officers are receiving support from peers and senior officers.

The judge remanded Diedrick in custody until a plea hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on January 29.

As the hearing came to an end a woman in the public gallery called out “love you”, before a group who came to observe proceedings filed out of the courtroom.