Brighton thug jailed for brutal attack on cops and vile racial abuse
A violent Newhaven man who launched a savage assault on two police officers while hurling racist slurs at a third has been locked up. Liam Stevens, 27, was arrested in Brighton last year for an unrelated incident — but sparks flew when he resisted arrest violently at Manor Hill on March 23, 2022.
Fury and fury: Assault and threats
Stevens went ballistic during his arrest. He not only threatened to kill officers trying to restrain him but also bombarded one constable with relentless racial abuse. The abuse didn’t stop on the way to custody, either. Stevens kept the insults flying non-stop.
Bites, kicks, and criminal charges
As he was being hauled away, Stevens tried to bite the officers and lash out physically. Police charged him with racially aggravated public order offences and two counts of common assault on emergency workers.
Six months behind bars
At Lewes Crown Court on Friday (November 4), Stevens copped to all charges and was sentenced to six months in jail.
Inspector Michelle Palmer-Harris said: “Police officers dedicate their lives to protecting their communities and should be safe to do so without being assaulted or subjected to racial abuse.
“Physical and verbal assaults have lasting effects that linger long after the uniform has been taken off at the end of a shift… We are proud to be a force where everyone can serve regardless of their 1, sexual orientation, sex, disability, faith, age or gender identity… Any crime motivated by hostility or prejudice towards our officers because of these characteristics is a hate crime, and like all hate crimes, we will investigate and pursue the offenders with vigour.”
