A police officer said he was in genuine fear of being stabbed when a man armed with a kitchen knife ran at him in Wolverhampton. Shamal Baiz, 34, had to be Tasered twice before officers could subdue him outside a house of multiple occupancy on Allen Road on June 7.
Incident Details
Officers responded to reports of a man with a blade and found Baiz holding a knife. He immediately started running towards them, forcing police to deploy a Taser twice to arrest him. The officer involved later told Dudley Magistrates' Court that he feared for his life during the attack.
Court Hearing
At the hearing on July 8, Baiz pleaded guilty to assaulting a police constable and possessing a knife in a public place. In a victim personal statement read to the court, the officer said: "On a day to day basis I come to work as a police officer with the intention of conducting my duties to the best of my ability, and expect to do so without fear, stress or worry that I will be a victim and subject to a member of the public assaulting me."
He continued: "The male was aggressive, running at me armed with a knife, I was in genuine fear the male was going to stab and attack me. This male's behaviour made me concerned for mine and my colleague's safety and life." The officer added that he goes to work intending to return home safely to his family and finds it abhorrent that some members of the public feel it is acceptable to assault police officers while they lawfully conduct their duties.
Sentencing and Bail
Baiz's legal representative noted that he had no previous convictions but was facing a custodial sentence, requesting a pre-sentence report. Magistrates granted the request and released Baiz, of Chadwick Street, Bolton, on unconditional bail. He is due to appear for a further hearing on September 14.
