Police welcome term for drunk who shot officer in Wolverhampton stand-off
Police today welcomed a five-year and nine-month jail sentence given to a drunken man who shot a police officer during a stand off at his home.
Mark Nicklin hit Pc Andrew Lavanchy on the hand with a gas powered BB gun after police were called to his home to reports he had attacked his fiancee.
The 39-year-old, of Oliver Crescent in Bilston, was jailed on Monday after appearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Drunk butted fiancee and shot policeman in Wolverhampton stand-off
He admitted possession of a firearm, battery of a police officer and assault.
Police today welcome the sentence.
Det Con Robert Berry, from Force CID, said: "Nicklin was a particularly violent offender who subjected his partner to a nasty attack causing serious injuries.
"When police arrived at his address he failed to surrender to them, pointed an air pistol at them and fired hitting one of the response officers in the hand.
"This typifies the dangers faced by our officers every day when they respond to emergency situations."
He added that the officer was fortunate to suffer only a minor injury and would not have known it was an air gun at the time.
"The sentencing hearing brings this investigation to a close and we are pleased that Nicklin will be spending a considerable length of time behind bars."
