TWO police officers have been commended for their actions in dealing with a violent man suspected of burgling a home in Cleobury Mortimer.
The man assaulted two of the occupants, one of whom needed hospital treatment, after they awoke to find a man in their house and challenged him. He was confronted by a third resident and fled the property empty-handed. The incident happened at about 3am on April 12.
But the man was arrested two days later after being identified by two Ludlow officers involved in the investigation.
Police Constables John Ralph and Richard Dixon have been awarded Divisional Commendations for their “diligent, energetic and self-generated investigation” which led to the quick arrest and remand of the offender.
Sergeant John Smithson said: “By using a mixture of peerless local knowledge and commonsense, the offender was identified and arrested two days later by PC Ralph and his colleague PC Dixon, who were still covering other routine response work on early shifts.”
He said the case was extremely serious with some sinister aspects to it. “The suspect was interviewed and the full facts put to the Crown Prosecution Service. A rapid action plan was proposed and further statements taken, again solely by the two officers.
“At the conclusion of this, a further interview was undertaken, further advice sought from CPS and the suspect was charged with several offences, remanded to cells and the Probation Service informed so his license could be revoked,” said Sergeant Smithson.
The offender was subsequently jailed at Shrewsbury Crown Court for four months after admitting two counts of assault.
Sergeant Smithson added: “This marathon effort by the two offices was completed almost entirely without supervision and involved a 21-hour uniform shift to complete the remand file. Both officers returned to their routine response work later that same day after a few hours rest.
“Due to their local knowledge, experience in investigative work, advanced interviewing and file preparation, this dangerous offender was taken off the streets soon after the incident.”