Thug sentenced for 'cowardly' attack on police officer in Failsworth

A police officer was left choking on her own blood after being struck from behind outside a Failsworth pub, a court has heard. PC Alexander was in full uniform driving a marked police car when she stopped to break up a fight outside the Church Inn on Oldham Road on Halloween night last year.

The court was told that Harry Hesketh, then 21, delivered a 'huge blow' to the back of her head as she tried to intervene. CCTV footage showed Hesketh hitting her, though he claimed he didn't know she was a police officer at the time, saying he 'panicked' and ran when he realised who she was.

The officer suffered multiple seizures and was left choking on her own tongue and blood. She required surgery for a broken nose and will need further operations for a deviated septum that has left her with breathing difficulties. In a victim impact statement, PC Alexander said she 'genuinely believed she would die' and that the attack had left her feeling 'violated and demoralised'.

Despite the severity of the attack, Hesketh received a suspended sentence of 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. He must complete 300 hours of unpaid work, attend 15 rehabilitation days, and pay £500 compensation to the officer. The judge described Hesketh as 'the epitome of a coward' for hitting someone from behind, while praising PC Alexander as 'the epitome of bravery' for running towards danger to help others.