Man jailed after attack on police officer in Bournemouth (From Bournemouth Echo)

Man jailed after attack on police officer in Bournemouth

7:00pm Sunday 5th July 2009

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AN ALCOHOL-FUELLED man who broke a police officer’s nose during an early morning fracas in Bournemouth has been jailed for six months.

Turkish-born Café manager Mehmet Tasdelen, 28, admitted assaulting PC Mark Holmes on February 21 this year, causing actual bodily harm, and using threatening behaviour.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Elaine Jones said Tasdelen had been caught on camera after violence flared outside a nightclub in Old Christchurch Road.

Police were called after Tasdelen from Nortoft Road, Bournemouth, was filmed head-butting another man twice. His victim was never traced.

Miss Jones added: “Officers made their way towards the defendant in the throng of a large group of people. As PC Holmes was in the process of detaining him he turned round and head-butted the officer.

“PC Holmes felt a heavy impact and sharp pain to the bridge of his nose. He was aware he was bleeding. A number of other officers restrained Mr Tasdelen, taking him to the ground and handcuffing him.”

Miss Jones said PC Holmes, who needed surgery for his fractured nose, had been “significantly affected” by the attack.

In a statement he said: “This incident has affected every aspect of my life. It has affected my professional life and added to the stress. I never thought of myself as a victim.”

During interview Tasdelen said he could not remember much about the incident because he had been heavily intoxicated.

In his defence, the court heard that Tasdelen had brought disgrace to himself and his family. He was not a habitual drinker and had penned a letter of apology to PC Holmes.

Sentencing Tasdelen, Judge Samuel Wiggs told him: “Any assaults on police officers are regarded seriously by the courts and, more particularly, when injury is caused.

“I would be failing in my public duty if I did not impose a prison sentence.”

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