Five Men Sentenced to Over Twenty Years in Prison for Assaulting Police

*** CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES OF INJURY ***

Five men have been collectively sentenced to over twenty years in prison for their roles in an incident in Middlesbrough which has left one police officer unable to work ever again.

Two officers responded to a report of a vehicle on fire in the Cass House Road/Earls Court Road area of Hemlington around 2:40am on Sunday 26^th November 2023, to ensure that the area was safe for members of the public. When they arrived, the officers were set upon by a group who threw bricks and bottles at them, and a police vehicle was damaged.

One officer suffered facial injuries and a serious hand injury which required surgery. He has since been told that he will not work again, due to his hand injury and suffering with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Another officer suffered injuries which were less serious.

Following an investigation by Middlesbrough CID officers, five men were charged in connection with the incident.

• Josh Blackston, aged 23 from Fonteyn Court, Middlesbrough, was charged with section 18 wounding with intent to resist/prevent arrest and affray. He was sentenced today (in his absence) to six years and one month in prison.
  
  
• Martin Rivers, aged 33, of no fixed address, was charged with section 18 wounding with intent to resist/prevent arrest, affray and criminal damage. He was sentenced to two years and five months in prison.
  
  
• Samuel Lane, aged 20, of Eddison Way, Middlesbrough, was charged with section 18 GBH with intent, affray and breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order. He was sentenced to two years and ten months in prison.
  
  
• Craig Anthony Bradley, aged 36, from Fonteyn Court, Middlesbrough, was charged with section 18 wounding with intent to resist/prevent arrest and affray. He was sentenced to two years and ten months in prison.
  
  
• Macauley Owen, aged 26, from Alwinton Court, Ormesby, was charged with section 18 wounding with intent to resist/prevent arrest and affray. He was sentenced to six years and one month in prison.
  
  
  *** Five men sentenced today (top L-R): Craig Bradley and Martin Rivers; bottom row (L-R) Macauley Owen, Samuel Lane, and Josh Blackston who is wanted ***
  
  

Sergeant Bolsover’s hand has been left with muscle loss, aswell as continuing pain and discomfort.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, he said: “My grip strength has been significantly affected in that I struggle to hold things, and I am unable to close my hand since surgery. I have been informed that this can take up to two years to heal, and that it may never heal fully.

“The nerve in my hand is not fully repaired, as the area is still numb and I get persistent pain in my forefinger, thumb and wrist.”

*** GRAPHIC IMAGES OF SGT BOLSOVER'S INJURIES BELOW ***

Sergeant Bolsover continued to describe the impact of the incident, which has left him suffering from PTSD. He said: “I can’t bear to hear police sirens and have difficulty being around anything to do with policing as a direct result of the attack.

“As a result of this assault I have been referred to the senior medical practitioner for medical retirement. In short, the actions of these people have destroyed my life, my career, and I’m left with life changing and debilitating injuries as a direct result of their deliberate actions.”

Inspector Chris Hartshorne said: “Upon visiting the officer and his family following this assault, I could see the visible distress they were suffering because of this cowardly attack. In all my years of frontline policing this has had to be one of the most disgusting and outrageous assaults on our officers that I have ever known.

“Sergeant Bolsover has an exemplary service record and has been recognised for bravery on several occasions, including national recognition at 10 Downing Street for a fearless act of bravery in protecting the public.

“Our communities have been deprived of an outstanding public servant.”

Superintendent Marc Anderson said: “Assaults on our officers will never be tolerated. Sergeant Bolsover is a valued member of the Cleveland Police family, who is left with life-changing injuries meaning he can no longer work.

“The actions of those involved were horrendous, and the suffering they have caused to those injured officers, and their families, is inexcusable. I welcome today’s sentences and hope that they send a clear message to anyone who thinks it’s acceptable for an officer to go to work and be assaulted whilst protecting the public; you will be put before the courts and you will answer for your actions.”