Kent Detective Bashed After Helping Man Just Released From Custody
A Kent Police detective was viciously attacked outside Medway Police Station by a man moments after being released from custody. Samuel Tesefay, 28, launched an unprovoked assault, landing punches and kicks on the officer before being arrested again.
Violent Attack Caught on CCTV
Tesefay, from Crystal Palace, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Maidstone Crown Court on 22 November 2019. The court heard he’d been released earlier that day after an unrelated arrest but his laptop and mobile phone were held as part of continuing investigations.
When Tesefay asked for some contact numbers from his phone, the detective agreed to meet him at the front desk. Frustrated that he couldn’t get his belongings back, Tesefay’s mood quickly soured. To avoid alarming the public, the officer stepped outside to talk privately.
Outside the station, Tesefay suddenly attacked, punching the detective repeatedly in the head and kicking her in the back as she tried to escape. Thanks to swift backup from officers nearby, the assault was stopped and Tesefay was found hiding in bushes and arrested on suspicion of assault.
Officer Suffers Serious Injuries
The detective suffered multiple facial injuries, including a fractured cheekbone. PC Amy Edwards, who led the investigation, slammed Tesefay’s actions:
“Tesefay subjected an officer to a completely unprovoked attack. Despite his claims of self-defence, CCTV clearly shows him starting the assault and chasing the officer to cause more harm. It’s unacceptable to attack police officers doing their job.”
Tesefay has been held in custody since and was sentenced to two years behind bars for the savage attack.
