A Gloucester man has been locked up after biting a police officer during his arrest last month, Gloucestershire Police confirmed.
Shocking Bite Caught on Video
A bystander filmed the arrest and uploaded the video on social media. The footage, posted without sound, showed officers using force to detain 39-year-old Luke Goodhall. What wasn’t clear at first was that Goodhall was biting an officer’s leg during the struggle.
Multiple Assault Charges Land Him in the Slammer
- Goodhall was sentenced to nine months for assaulting the officer.
- He admitted to assaulting a second emergency worker and got six months, to run concurrently.
- He’s also facing another assault charge, with a court date set for 25 March.
Since Goodhall committed these crimes while on licence, he’ll serve out the remainder of his previous sentence before tackling the fresh nine months.
Officers Speak Out on Use of Force and Transparency
“I strongly believe in informed decision making and healthy discussions,” said the injured officer, a 11-year veteran. “Being open, honest and acting with integrity is key to bridging the gap between police and the public.”
“It is unfortunate that I was injured in this instance, but I hope the transparency helps foster an understanding into use of force and decision making.”
Gloucestershire Police added that while most incidents are resolved peacefully, some situations require officers to use force to protect themselves and the public.
