Police frustration as youth armed with knives spared custody for assaulting officers in Kilburn
A Rambo knife with 12 inch blade found on 16-year-old who assaulted two police officers in Kilburn (Picture: @MPSKilburnCam) - Credit: Archant
A 16-year-old armed with knives who assaulted two police officers in Kilburn as they tried to arrest him has avoided jail.
A kitch knife with eight inch blade found on 16-year-old who assaulted two police officers in Kilburn (Picture: @MPSKilburnCam) - Credit: Archant
PC Leo Mathurine was kicked in the head and PC Marcus Sales received cuts and bruises while trying to arrest the teenager in Dyne Road on August 30.
The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found to be carrying a Rambo knife with a 12 inch jagged blade and a kitchen knife with an eight inch blade in his backpack.
He was sentenced to 20 days community service at Highbury Magistrates Court on November 8, given a three month curfew and told to attend a weapons awareness course for seven days.
Sgt Mark Townsend, from Kilburn’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Given the gravity of the offences and the fact my officers were assaulted for doing their job and protecting the public from lethal weapons, I am always disappointed when a custodial sentence is not given, even if suspended.
“I only hope that the punishment handed out serves as a wake up call to this young man and he grows up fast and realises the gravity of what he has done and takes the second chance given to him with both hands to choose a more positive path.”
Sgt Townsend said the boy was stopped by the two officers as he was known to carry knives.
Most Read
- 1 Revealed: Your favourite fish and chip shop in north London
- 2 Maskless passengers on London trains and buses fined 4,000 times
- 3 Baby among three rescued from Willesden flat fire
- 4 Cricklewood estate reports 'major vermin' problem
- 5 Jailed: North London members of Essex drugs supply network
- 6 Trial date for men charged with fatal stabbing of Emmanuel Odunlami
- 7 'Extremely dangerous' men convicted after girl kidnapped and raped
- 8 'Strictest' headteacher to be documentary subject
- 9 7 of the best Chinese restaurants with delivery in north London
- 10 Explained: What the cost of living support package means for you
As soon as he was told he would be searched he resisted the officers inflicting injuries on both men.
Along with the knives in his backpack, they also found a wrap of cannabis and a full face balaclava.
The teen pleaded guilty to two counts of assault, two counts of possessing offensive weapons, obstructing /resisting a constable in the execution of their duty and possession of cannabis.
As well as community service, he was told to keep appointments with a youth offending team for 12 months, participate in a weapons awareness course, abide by an electronically tagged curfew at a hostel from 9pm-6am for three months and told to pay a £15 victim surcharge.
Sgt Townsend added: “My officers and I will not relent in our pursuit to remove dangerous weapons and offenders from Kilburn’s streets.
“I would call on all residents to tell us via Crimestoppers if they know of people carrying weapons on our streets, we will act. It is the only way to stop lives being needlessly taken.”
