A man has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison after a violent confrontation with police in Nottingham left an officer with a broken shoulder.
Dramatic Arrest and Violent Assault
The incident began on June 3 last year in the Radford area of Nottingham. Officers from Nottinghamshire Police's knife crime team were observing a group associated with drug use when they spotted a man riding a high-powered electric bike while wearing a balaclava and ski goggles.
Upon seeing the police, the rider, later identified as 22-year-old Jerome Gibson, abandoned the e-bike and fled on foot. As officers moved to detain him on Hucknall Road, Gibson violently shoulder-barged one of them in a desperate attempt to escape.
Manhunt and Capture
The assaulted officer sustained a serious injury that later required surgical intervention. Gibson, however, managed to flee the scene initially. He entered a nearby property and then left the Nottingham area for several days.
A determined manhunt was launched by police, who eventually tracked Gibson down to an address in the Bilborough area. True to form, he attempted another escape by jumping out of a window but was swiftly apprehended in a neighbouring garden.
Court Sentencing and Police Statement
Gibson, who is of no fixed abode, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, January 5. He pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm without intent to the police officer.
He also admitted to separate offences investigated by Derbyshire Constabulary, which occurred on May 8, 2024, in Langwith Junction. These included making threats with an offensive weapon (a knife) against two people and two counts of criminal damage to property.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Bethanie Foster of Nottinghamshire Police said: "Gibson was so keen to flee the area he was prepared to seriously injure a police officer. He then went to great lengths to escape justice but was tracked down following a manhunt."
DC Foster emphasised the force's stance, stating: "We simply will not tolerate assaults on police officers, or other emergency workers. Although frontline officers, like those on the knife crime team, are prepared to place themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis, coming under attack like this while on duty is not part of the job description."
She also highlighted the broader issue, noting: "High-powered electric bikes are a serious issue in our communities and are frequently linked to drug crime, knife crime and other offending. We will continue to work hard to seize and crush those being ridden illegally."
