Burglar Tries to Gouge Cop’s Eyes Out After Breaking In
A brutal burglar who tried to gouge a police officer’s eyes out after being caught red-handed has been locked up.
Shaun Watkins smashed his way into a home in Peterlee last month. When PC confronted him, Watkins launched a savage attack.
Cop Shows Restraint Before Brutal Assault
The officer politely waited while Watkins claimed he needed to use the toilet. But just seconds after Watkins emerged, he lunged, punching the PC repeatedly in the face and attempting to gouge his eyes.
Despite being temporarily blinded, the officer used pepper spray to fight back. Together with a colleague, they managed to pin Watkins down. The thug even headbutted the second officer during the struggle.
18 Months Inside for Savage Assault
Watkins, 32, from Ninth Street, Horden, initially refused to comment but later pled guilty to three charges: assault causing actual bodily harm, assault by beating, and criminal damage.
He appeared at Durham Crown Court on May 6 and was handed an 18-month jail sentence.
“Watkins is a particularly nasty criminal who uses any means possible to try to evade justice,” said T/Detective Inspector Darren Wild of Peterlee CID. “Thankfully the officer used his training to contain Watkins despite being temporarily blinded.
No officer should ever be attacked, let alone in such a violent way. We’re glad to see Watkins behind bars where he can’t harm anyone else for the foreseeable future.”
