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Man jailed for PC attack

A machete-wielding man who slashed a Sandwell police officer in a bid to escape arrest was jailed for four years today.

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wd2452075stephen-hibbert.jpgA machete-wielding man who slashed a Sandwell police officer in a bid to escape arrest was jailed for four years today.

West Bromwich-based Pc Stuart Fitzgerald was hacked across the hand as he tried to protect himself from the onslaught, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told today.

The blow from Stephen Hibbert, aged 51, severed tendons and broke a finger of the 26-year-old officer, who had to undergo emergency surgery.

Another constable, John Pearson, was also assaulted in the fracas at the man's home in Hamstead, Great Barr. The pair were attacked after going to the property, in Tregea Rise, to investigate a disturbance between Hibbert and his partner Joy McBean.

Prosecutor, Mr Adam Farrer, said: "He was clearly agitated and did not want the officers inside the house. They attempted to calm him down but he began to shout and became aggressive.

"Pc Fitzgerald tried to arrest him for a breach of the peace and produced a pair of handcuffs. Hibbert became more aggressive and retreated to the living room where he produced a machete with a 30cm blade from behind a chair. He took it above his head and brought it down, striking the right hand of Pc Fitzgerald."

Hibbert struck out after having CS gas sprayed in his face. Pc Pearson was assaulted trying to defend his colleague but the officers radioed for back-up and disarmed the attacker by hitting him with their batons.

Hibbert, who had a previous conviction for attacking a police officer with an iron during a domestic dispute 19 years ago, dropped the machete as reinforcements arrived and was arrested. Judge Michael Challinor, jailing Hibbert, who admitted wounding with intent and assault, said: "Pc Fitzgerald was lucky not to have been disabled by the blow."

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