Man to be sentenced for axe attack on Sheffield police officer

FILE PICTURE - Nathan Sumner, 35, arrives at Sheffield Magistrates Court under heavy police guard on April 15 2016. A man accused of attempting to murder a Sheffield police officer with an axe will stand trial at Sheffield Crown Court today, October 12, 2016. Sumner, aged 35, of Gleadless Valley, Sheffield, is alleged to have carried out the attack on Pc Lisa Bates on Wednesday, April 13 this year.

Nathan Sumner, aged 35, attacked PC Lisa Bates when she called at his flat in Plowright Close, Gleadless Valley, following a report of a domestic incident at the flat he shared with his girlfriend.

He repeatedly hacked at the police officer with an axe, fracturing her skull and leaving one of her fingers hanging off.

PC Bates broke a leg jumping down a flight of stairs to escape Sumner.

She has not yet returned to work following the attack on April 13.

Sumner was found not guilty of attempted murder but guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

His legal team argued that Sumner was suffering from a psychotic episode at the time and was not in control of his actions.