Hospital order for man who almost killed PC

Ahmed Poka lashed out with a "large shard of glass" when the police officer approached him in Harlow

A man who almost killed a police officer when he slashed him with a shard of broken glass has been sentenced to an indefinite period in a mental hospital.

Ahmed Poka, 23, attacked PC Matthew Bright, who had been searching for him after he absconded from a mental hospital, in Harlow, Essex, in September 2022.

The officer, who has since left Essex Police, was left scarred for life after the glass missed a major artery by little more than 1cm, but sliced his jaw and neck.

Poka, who suffers from schizoaffective disorder, was found guilty of attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon during a trial of facts at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Judge Christopher Morgan said Poka, who was deemed not fit to stand trial, would only be released when clinicians and the home secretary decided he was no longer a risk to the public.

Poka attended Goodman House, which is owned by Essex County Council, as he wanted money, the court heard

Mr Bright said the attack had left him struggling to sleep at night and added: "I think about it every day.

"It's had a massive impact on my family and colleagues who were there that day."

Officers had been called to Goodman House, Harlow, at about 16:00 BST on 7 September 2022 as part of a missing person inquiry relating to Poka.

Having been approached by Mr Bright, Poka, from Colchester, lashed out with a "large shard of glass", running it down the officer's jaw and neck.

The victim was taken to hospital and received 22 stitches but would likely be left scarred for life, the court heard.

Poka appeared for sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court via video link from prison

The court heard Poka's mental disorder meant he suffered with symptoms similar to that of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and that he was "unpredictable and aggressive".

Judge Christopher Morgan said detaining Poka at Brockfield House, Wickford, under the Mental Health Act 1983 was necessary to protect the public.

He said it was not possible to say how long Poka would remain "a risk of serious harm".

"The final matter in this case is to express the gratitude that everyone has to officers such as PC Bright and his colleagues who, without any thought for their own safety, seek to protect the safety of others," Judge Morgan added.