Man jailed for violent attack on police officer

Gwent Police officer Nathan Attwell had to have his Christmas dinner "mashed up" so he could eat it after the attack

A man who repeatedly punched a police officer in the face and head, fracturing his cheekbone and breaking his nose, has been jailed.

Richard Nodwell, 37, assaulted Gwent Police officer Nathan Attwell in Cwmbran, Torfaen, on 20 December 2024, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

PC Attwell was taken to hospital after suffering significant facial injuries when he was hit at least 12 times in the attack, which happened as he was responding to a 999 call.

Nodwell pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and grievous bodily harm without intent and was given a sentence of nine years and four months, including an extended licence period of three years.

Nodwell, of Oakfield, Cwmbran, also pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker for which he was sentenced to 10 weeks' imprisonment, to run concurrently.

Warning: This story contains graphic details and images

Nodwell was spoken to by the officer, who was responding to a 999 call in Cwmbran, and became increasingly agitated during the conversation.

He attacked PC Attwell, punching him multiple times to the face before pushing him to the ground.

Richard Nodwell repeatedly punched PC Nathan Attwell in the face and head

Nodwell continued the assault and kicked him in the head before walking off.

When other officers arrived and arrested Nodwell, he continued to be aggressive, assaulting one officer by spitting on his hand and biting another's boot.

Bodyworn footage from PC Attwell was shown in court in which Nodwell can be seen attacking the officer, punching him repeatedly, knocking him to the ground before kicking him and running off.

PC Attwell was knocked unconscious during the attack and the footage shows members of the public trying to help him as he was bleeding.

Other footage from the officers arresting Nodwell also shows him being aggressive and shouting and swearing.

The police officer says he was afraid he "would not wake up" if he went to sleep after the attack

PC Attwell, who was in court surrounded by family and colleagues, spent days in hospital with severe facial injuries including a fractured cheekbone, eye socket and broken nose.

Judge Hywel James said the bodyworn footage showed PC Attwell's behaviour was "entirely appropriate" showing "considerable courtesy and patience" to Nodwell, who was "aggressive" and "violent".

Judge James said PC Attwell suffered "grave physical injuries" and was "vulnerable when lying motionless on the ground when you [Nodwell] chose to kick him to the head with considerable force".

The judge described it as a "violent and sustained attack" on an officer who was "there to protect members of the public".

Judge James said there were aggravating features including the fact the attack took place in public after Nodwell had been drinking, but he took into account that Nodwell was "remorseful".

However he said Nodwell presented a "high risk of serious harm" to other police officers and a medium risk to the public, so he was given an extended sentence.

In a victim impact statement PC Attwell said he was scared to go to sleep on the first night he returned home from hospital "just in case something happened to him overnight as a result of his injuries".

He added: "I never imagined it would happen to me and I still don't know what the full impact will be on my physical and mental wellbeing."

He said he has since been offered a new role as a police trainer which he has accepted as "this incident has left me wary and apprehensive about returning to my normal duties".

PC Attwell told the BBC "there was an almighty smash in the side of my temple and everything went spinning".

"It's not right we should have to go to work and put ourselves through that. We are going to work to do a job, why should we be put through being assaulted and having to put up with it," he added.

"It just made me feel awful in myself and it was such a worry for my family."

PC Attwell has not been able to return to work yet because of the assault

Chief Constable Mark Hobrough's statement said the effect on the policing team was "palpably noticeable" and some of them were "considering their options about whether they should stay in policing".

Speaking after the sentencing, Ryan Randall from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Nodwell carried out this sickening act of violence on a uniformed officer conducting his lawful duties, showing a complete disregard for his authority."

Additional reporting by Nelli Bird