A 42-year-old man received a 20-month prison sentence after launching a brutal assault on a police officer by smashing a brick into his face during a routine vehicle check in Lancaster on November 22, 2023.
The Violent Encounter
The Lancaster-based constable spotted George Jacob and another individual with an electric motorbike, prompting a standard inquiry. As the officer seized the bike, Jacob became aggressive, shouting at the married father-of-one, pushing him, and then fleeing the scene.
While the officer returned to his patrol car to complete paperwork, Jacob shattered the vehicle window and struck the constable in the face with a brick. The officer immediately activated his emergency button, summoning backup.
Injuries and Immediate Aftermath
Lancashire Police reported that the officer sustained a severe concussion, two chipped teeth, a facial cut, and shards of glass embedded in his skin from the broken window. Despite the injuries, he made a swift recovery and resumed duties.
Authorities arrested Jacob, who has no fixed address. After consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, charges followed for wounding with intent, criminal damage, and assaulting an emergency worker. Jacob pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court.
Statements from Involved Parties
Detective Inspector Adie Knowles of Lancaster CID stated: “No one should go to work to be assaulted, but sadly this officer was, for simply doing his job. They shouldn’t have to worry about being injured by someone else, for trying to keep the public safe. Whilst it isn’t my place to comment on the sentence itself, I, and the officer involved do want to tell you about this, so that you know it is not and never will be acceptable. It is not something to be accepted, it is not ‘just part of the job’. It is a criminal act, and one that will not be tolerated.”
In a victim personal statement, the officer shared: “I have been a Police Officer for nearly seven years. I love my job and I’m good at it; but this incident has caused me to re-evaluate my career as a constable. I want to help people, protect victims and put those who don’t belong on the streets away, but when my safety is put on the line and my ability to provide for my wife and daughter is jeopardised by such a cowardly act, it has made me feel like it’s no longer worth it.”
He added: “I feel angry towards the defendant that rather than standing in front of me and seeing that I’m not just a Police Officer in uniform, I’m a friend, husband and a father, he spinelessly threw a brick and ran off, failing to face the consequences of his actions. He would have known what he did would have cause me such injuries, but he chose himself and tried to evade facing what he’d done, fleeing the area.”
