East Lancashire officer’s relief as teen pleads guilty to hammer attack

8:30am Friday 20th November 2009

By Sam Chadderton

A POLICE officer left permanently disfigured after a 13-year-old boy attacked him a hammer has told of his ordeal.

The boy, who has a long criminal record, is facing detention after pleading guilty to wounding Colne Police Constable Andy Banks with intent to do him bodily harm.

PC Banks was attacked in Canal Street, Clayton-le-Moors, on September 18 after attending the scene of a suspected burglary at a pub under renovation.

The response officer, who lives in Colne and is based at Accrington, is still off work recovering from his injuries.

Two youths were arrested at the scene and two others fled in different directions, chased by officers.

PC Banks chased the 13-year-old and caught him, only to be dealt savage blows as they grappled on the floor, police said.

The officer narrowly avoided a fractured skull, but also received whiplash-type injuries to his neck from the impact of the hammer blows.

Hyndburn Inspector David Mangan said PC banks had been left with a permantly disfigured nose and scarred for life on his head.

Speaking after the case, PC Banks said: "I'm happy he's admitted what he's done and I'm glad that he's going to be off the streets.

"If he's prepared to do that to a police officer then it's right and proper that he should spend some time in prison to protect the public."

Insp Mangan said: "I'm pleased he's admitted his guilt and prevented a costly trial.

"Although there's a high level of violence, it's a rare occurence and it does demonstrate the type of incident officers can be expected to deal with on behalf of members of the public.

"It was a very, very serious attack. PC Banks could have been looking at much worse injuries.”

At Burnley Crown Court, the boy was remanded into secure accommodation in the Manchester area.

Judge Philip Butler warned him he must understand it was likely he would go to detention.

The court was told the victim said he had been hit repeatedly with the hammer by the boy.

The defendant's barrister Gerard Doran said a witness would say that whilst the defendant was swingiing the hammer towards the officer, it made contact only once.

Mr Doran said the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, did not accept causing all the victim's injuries.

He would say there were a lot of building materials about and the officer had fallen into and across a pile of rocks.