Cop Brutally Attacked After Chasing Suspects Who Fled Police
A police constable on patrol in Maidstone town centre faced a savage assault after spotting a getaway car linked to a suspect chase.
BMW Fails to Stop, Suspects Flee Scene
At 11.10am on 21 October 2020, a uniformed officer driving an unmarked vehicle was alerted to a grey BMW that had ignored officers’ stop signals. The BMW was last seen near the Mangravet area.
The officer found the car parked and unattended in Woodside Road. Moments later, Robbie Booth appeared, climbed into the driver’s seat, and was about to drive off.
Violent Attack on Officer as Suspects Make Run For It
As the officer approached and opened Booth’s car door to detain him, David Hilden suddenly appeared from behind and punched the cop in the face. Hilden, with Booth’s help, launched a brutal assault, biting the officer and leaving him with serious facial injuries.
During the chaos, Booth grabbed a black package from under the car seat before both men fled on foot.
Quick Response Leads to Arrests and Drug Find
A second officer arrived quickly, spotting the suspects crossing a nearby field. He caught Booth as he helped Hilden over a fence, arresting him on the spot. Hilden was found and detained a short distance away.
A police dog traced their escape route and uncovered a discarded jacket and a black case containing cannabis.
The injured officer was rushed to hospital with lacerations and bruising but has since returned to duty.
Sentences Handed Down After Guilty Pleas
- Both men, homeless at the time, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH) and possession of cannabis at Maidstone Crown Court on 5 May 2021.
- On 16 July, 22-year-old Hilden was jailed for 21 months.
- 23-year-old Booth got a one-year sentence suspended for 18 months, plus 100 hours unpaid work, rehabilitation, and a £700 fine.
Deputy Area Commander Superintendent Jon Kirby said: “This was a brutal and cowardly assault on an officer by two men who thought they could avoid being arrested. However, they were swiftly tracked down by patrols responding to assist their injured colleague, who I am pleased to say is back at work serving the public.”
