Thug jailed for 20 months after leaving South Yorkshire Police officer scarred for life

Adam Burgin, aged 29, of South vale Drive, Thrybergh, Rotherham, left PC Dan Lumley with facial scars after an attack in which his nose was also broken as he was repeatedly punched.

PC Lumley was attacked after responding to reports of a man with a baseball bat threatening to kill family members in Thrybergh last September.

Judge Mrs Recorder Kate Batty praised the officer’s efforts to apprehend Burgin in a bid to protect others.

Jailing Burgin, she said: “His intention was to calm the situation down, but you (Burgin) approached him in an aggressive way with your fists clenched. He knew you were going to assault him and as a result he drew his pava spray and sprayed you to stop any violence and in my opinion that was a perfect step to take.

“You came to him, windmilling your arms and you pushed him to the ground. He managed to get on top of you and you remained on the ground. He was telling you to stay down, but you didn't, you kept trying to get up. In my judgement you were angered at the officer getting the better of you. You grounded him by grabbing his legs and flipping him up and repeatedly punching him.”

A statement from Chief Constable Stephen Watson, read out in court by prosecutor Zaiban Alam, said: “Our officers live among the community they serve. We must not lose sight of the fact they have families of their own that these attacks have a significant impact on.

“Being attacked on duty is not part and parcel of the job. They are being subjected to threats and assaults at all times and it has a significant effect when they return to the front line. Those that choose to assault police officers must be dealt with by the courts.”

Richard Adams representing Burgin, said he acted in self-defence after pava spray was used against him.

But he added: “He did his job and for his troubles he was on the receiving end of the most terrifying event of his career.

“The public must know that if they assault police officers they must go to prison.”

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