A police officer was attacked by an XL Bully dog after a criminal commanded it to do so during an arrest. The incident took place in Hexham, Northumberland, where the criminal, Nathaniel Wardle, ordered the dog to attack the officer. The sergeant was bitten on the arm, with some bites deflected by his padded jacket. Wardle, who has been dealing with mental health issues following his father’s death, received a suspended prison sentence for his actions.
The events unfolded on October 31 last year when police encountered Wardle with the XL Bully dogs. He attempted to flee, and when the officer tried to stop him, Wardle pushed him away and ordered the dogs to attack. The dogs became agitated, resulting in the officer being bitten on the arm. Another officer arrived at the scene and used PAVA spray to deter the dog from further attacks. Despite this, Wardle then turned aggressive towards the officers and tried to incite the dogs to attack again.
It was revealed in court that Wardle’s violent behavior stemmed from his belief that the officers were there to take his dogs away. He was eventually arrested after a struggle and taken into custody. However, he later denied instructing the dogs to attack the officer. The sergeant who was bitten described the attack as “disgraceful and reprehensible,” expressing concerns about the consequences of the incident.
Wardle’s legal troubles continued as he failed to attend court appearances and was found in possession of a hunting knife and a catapult. With 19 previous convictions, he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possessing a bladed article, and failing to attend court. His defense lawyer highlighted Wardle’s turbulent life, mental health struggles, and the trauma of his father’s death as contributing factors to his behavior.
Despite the seriousness of the offense, Wardle received a suspended prison sentence of two years with £300 compensation. The judge acknowledged the severity of the situation but believed that Wardle could benefit from intervention to steer him away from further criminal activities. The sentence aimed to offer Wardle help and support to address his underlying issues.
The case serves as a reminder of the complex factors that can influence criminal behavior and the importance of addressing mental health challenges in the justice system. It also highlights the need for appropriate interventions to prevent individuals from reoffending.