A MAN HAS BEEN sent to jail for three and a half years and given a 15 year restraining order after pleading guilty to assaulting a woman and causing grievous bodily harm and three counts of assault on emergency workers.
The guilty man has been named as Darren Rafferty, 45, of Bentry Close, Dagenham. The Court heard that on 24th March he went to an address in Gainsborough Road, Dagenham, and committed a brutal assault on a woman. We have decided not to print the detail of the attack. The woman sustained a broken leg and knife wounds.
Fortunately, the police arrived while the assault was in progress. They ensured that the victim was taken to hospital for treatment. They also arrested Rafferty – who was verbally abusive. He also coughed in the faces of the three police officers arresting him, saying that he had COVID-19.
Rafferty was sentenced on 5th June at Snaresbrook Crown Court. His prison sentence was made up of 30 months for causing Grievous Bodily Harm and 12 months for the three assaults. The sentences will run concurrently. The Judge also praised the police officers for showing professionalism as they conducted the arrest, despite the provocation of the defendant’s dreadful behaviour.
Detective Inspector Lucie Card, who led the investigation, said: “This was a horrendous attack on many levels. Rafferty’s vicious, sustained assault must have terrified his victim and has caused her a lot of pain. I sincerely wish her the best for her recovery and hope she can rest a little easier after today’s outcome. We take violent crime seriously and will continue to tackle it, even in these challenging circumstances.
“To use COVID-19 as a weapon against an emergency worker is disgusting but, thankfully, such incidents are extremely rare. However, anyone who does try to use coronavirus to threaten or harm others should expect to face serious consequences.”
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