A man who bit through a police officer’s ear during a violent struggle in Maidstone has been sentenced to more than three years’ imprisonment.
The man, Kalvin Stemp also bit the officer’s arm and spat at him, as he resisted attempts to arrest him for drug offences in the town centre.
Stemp was approached by two uniformed officers during the evening of 6 November 2021. They were on patrol in Medway Street and could smell cannabis coming from his direction. The 25-year-old was informed he was being was detained for purposes of a drugs search and the situation quickly escalated into violence as Stemp tried to flee the scene.
Pushed, kicked and punched
Officers attempted to restrain him but were also met with aggression from several associates of Stemp. They pushed, kicked and punched the officers in an effort to help him escape. The two officers initially managed to detain Stemp but were heavily outnumbered.
Headbutt
Stemp used distractions caused by his associates’ aggressive behaviour to violently headbutt one of the officers, before lunging at him and biting through his right ear. He also bit his arm and spat in his face and hair.
Stemp, along with two associates ran from the scene but were tracked down and arrested on 8 and 9 November. All three were charged and appeared before Maidstone Crown Court.
Stemp, from Maidstone pleaded guilty to two counts of assault, including causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He also admitted escaping from lawful custody. He was sentenced on Friday 14 October to three years and two months’ imprisonment.
A 50-year-old man admitted a charge of assault by beating of an emergency worker and was made the subject of a 12-month community order, part of which included an electronically monitored curfew. A man aged 25 pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker. He received a community order of 15 months, including 200 hours of unpaid work.
Appalling violence
District Commander for Maidstone, Chief Inspector Mark McLellan, said: ‘The level of violence and aggression displayed by all those involved was simply appalling. Stemp bit one of our officers so violently, the cartilage to one his ears was left exposed and the attack is likely to leave him with lasting scars.
‘In delivering this sentence, I’m pleased the courts have made it clear that emergency workers need to be protected and that violence towards police officers carrying out their duties simply won’t be tolerated. Being assaulted must never be seen as just part of the job and we will always seek to bring to justice those who leave our officers suffering cuts, bruises, bites and the emotional trauma associated with being attacked on duty.’