Exclusive:Convicted sex offender "dragged" off-duty female police officer along West Street by hair, court hears
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Luke Harrison was on prison licence at the time, having been jailed in 2023 for sexual assault by penetration
A convicted South Yorkshire sex offender punched an off-duty female police officer in the face, dragging her along the road by her hair in a drunken rampage on Sheffield’s West Street, a court heard.
Luke Harrison, 26, was on prison licence at the time, having been jailed in 2023 for sexual assault by penetration. His latest victim on April 4 was a woman PC on a night out in the city centre with friends and family.
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He set upon her as she tried to intervene out of a “duty of care” when she saw a group of males, including Harrison, in an ugly face-off outside West Street’s Stein Haus.
In a read statement Sheffield Crown Court heard the officer’s father had to witness the disgusting assault.
A judge told Harrison: “This was an extremely unpleasant assault on an utterly innocent person trying to keep the public safe.”
Alice Ibbotson, prosecuting, said around on 9pm that night the complainant and her group were heading for Carver Street when she saw the two groups “shouting, swearing” and making “hostile gestures”.
The complainant, not “totally sober” herself, made the decision “not to disclose” she was a police officer but nevertheless intervened out of a “duty of care”, said Ms Ibbotson.
As the two groups came together Harrison “struck her to the face” and she fell, striking her forehead on concrete, the court heard.
Ms Ibboston said: “The defendant grabbed her by the hair and yanked it, causing immediate pain and dragged her along the ground for several metres, causing her immense pain.”
After his arrest Harrison told police he was drunk and remembered throwing a punch. However he was “disgusted” with himself when shown the CCTV footage.”
In a statement the complainant said it was “horrible” being on the floor with Harrison stood over her and “no father should have to see his daughter being dragged along the floor”.
Anna Jones, defending, said her client, currently back in custody, had accepted he had issues with alcohol and was willing to accept help from probation, who had recommended him for intervention work in the community.
Judge Megan Rhys told Harrison: “You said you felt disgusted with yourself - and so you should be. This was an extremely unpleasant assault on an utterly innocent person trying to keep the public safe.
“She did not deserve to be treated this way by you.” However, noting Harrison’s genuine remorse and “shame”, his work history, good references and prospects for rehabilitation, she suspended 16 months’ jail for two years.
Harrison, of Masefield Road, West Melton. Rotherham, admitted assault with actual bodily harm. He was handed 25 rehabilitation activity days and a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement.