Cheltenham Man Receives Nine-Month Sentence for Biting Police Officer During Gloucester Arrest
A shocking incident in Gloucester has resulted in a Cheltenham man being imprisoned after he bit a police officer during an arrest. Luke Goodhall, 39, was sentenced to nine months in prison for assaulting the officer, with the full details emerging from body-worn footage that contradicted earlier social media posts.
Viral Video Without Audio Hid the Assault
The arrest took place on Eastgate Street in Gloucester on February 17, approximately at 7:20 PM. A video recorded by a member of the public was shared on social media, showing a police officer using force to detain Goodhall. However, this video was posted without audio, concealing the fact that Goodhall was biting the officer's leg at the time.
In the body-worn footage from the officer, he can be heard yelling in pain and pleading with Goodhall to stop biting him. Goodhall responded by laughing and saying, "no-one's sin (sic) it you d***head." The officer, who has served in the police force for 11 years, sustained a genuine injury from the bite.
Court Proceedings and Additional Charges
At Cheltenham Magistrates Court on February 19, Goodhall admitted to two offences. He received a nine-month prison sentence for assaulting the officer, confessing to assault causing actual bodily harm. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to common assault of an emergency worker, specifically a second police officer, and was sentenced to six months, to run concurrently with the nine-month term.
Goodhall was also charged with one count of assault by beating another person and is due in court on March 25 regarding this allegation. Since he committed these offences while on licence from a previous prison sentence, he will serve the remainder of that sentence followed by the nine-month term handed out last month.
Police Response and Transparency Efforts
Gloucestershire Police's Professional Standards Department examined the body-worn video footage and concluded that the force used by the officer—strikes to the body—was proportionate, necessary, and legitimate. A police spokesperson emphasized that videos showing force can spark concern, but often the complete context is not captured.
Temporary Chief Superintendent Erica Field, Gloucestershire Police's Use of Force lead, stated: "Police officers are only allowed to use force to the extent that it is necessary, proportionate and legitimate in all the circumstances." She added that officers are trained to use the least amount of force required and attend annual Public and Personal Safety Training.
The officer involved commented on the importance of transparency: "I strongly believe in informed decision making and healthy discussions. Being open, honest and acting with integrity is key to bridging the gap between police and the public." He expressed relief that the full incident is being disclosed to promote understanding.
Federation Support and Broader Context
Temporary Inspector Adam Williams, Branch Chair of Gloucestershire Police Federation, highlighted the challenges officers face: "Police officers face an extraordinary level of scrutiny in today's world, and we absolutely recognise the importance of transparency and accountability in the work we do. But that scrutiny must be fair and based on the full facts."
He noted that officers are assaulted at alarming levels, with nearly 49,000 attacks in the past year alone in the UK—equivalent to an attack every 10 minutes. Williams praised the officer's professionalism and the Constabulary's robust assessment of the incident, emphasizing support for all members facing increasing risks.
The incident underscores the need for complete context in public discussions about police conduct, as selective editing online can distort reality. Gloucestershire Police reaffirmed their commitment to prosecuting assaults on officers and providing operational clarity to the public.
