Brutal attack left PC unable to hold son
Mar 20 2008 by Barbara Hodgson, The Journal
A POLICE officer cannot hold his own child because of the injuries he received when he was brutally attacked during a violent disturbance, a court heard.
PC Graeme Hull was one of just six officers available to tackle the violence which erupted in Berwick’s Golden Square early on August 5 last year.
He and his colleagues were so outnumbered by the crowd that they had to ask nearby doormen to help arrest and restrain the combatants, Newcastle Crown Court was told.
By the time the incident ended, PC Hull and a second officer Keith Turnbull both lay unconscious and severely injured on the ground after being kicked and punched in the head.
PC Hull, who was airlifted to hospital, has been left so badly affected physically and psychologically by his ordeal that he is unlikely to return to his police career.
In a victim impact statement read out in court, he told how he was unable to walk more than 100 metres at a time and suffers problems with hearing, eyesight, concentration, sleeplessness, lack of balance and anxiety.
He also described how he was unable to hold his 11-month-old son for any length of time or fully interact with him.
"In general the incident has had a devastating effect on both myself and my wife," PC Hull, 40, said.
DC Turnbull spent six-and-a-half weeks recovering from his injuries before he was able to return to work.
The violence flared after a disturbance involving several men outside the Cashmere nightclub.
Two officers were initially sent to the scene but efforts to calm down Andrew Baxter – described as a catalyst in the disturbance – failed and they waited for back-up, which included PC Hull and DC Turnbull.
Prosecutor Glen Gatland said at that time there was a maximum of only six officers available in Berwick – with support from Alnwick – and the officers found themselves outnumbered, turning to door staff to assist as the trouble escalated.
Paul Calder Jr, 19, of Sea View, Berwick, admitted causing both PC Hull and DC Turnbull grievous bodily harm with intent, and assaulting two civilians.
The teenager, who has previous convictions for violence and was on bail for assault at the time, was sent to a young offender institution indefinitely.
He must serve a minimum four years before he may be considered for parole, but Judge John Milford warned he would only be released when the parole board considered it was safe to do so.
His father Paul Calder Sr, 44, of the same address, was jailed for 10 months after admitting affray and Baxter, 40, of Highcliffe, Berwick, jailed for 16 months after admitting affray and assault. Alan Craig, 32, of South Renton, Grantshouse, Berwickshire, was cleared of affray but jailed for six months after being found guilty of escape from police custody.
His wife Erin Craig, 21, of the same address, was given a three-month suspended sentence with 12 months supervision after being found guilty of aiding and abetting her husband’s escape from a police van.
Judge John Milford said Baxter had been the touchstone of the event. He told him: "Your drunken intemperate behaviour caused police to arrest you.
"You resisted and so others became involved, a full-scale battle then ensued."
In a statement after the hearing, Chief Supt Kevin Lambert, area commander for Northumberland, said: "This disturbance shocked the local community and justice has been done in the crown court.
"I want to praise all the officers on duty that night who did an extremely good job in very difficult circumstances.
"Berwick has a very low crime rate. Staffing levels have to reflect the level of demand placed on the police in an area.
"I am satisfied that Berwick has the appropriate number of police officers."
