Man sentenced for attack on chief constable

Craig Guildford was kicked by Luke Walton, who had been drinking

A man who attacked the chief constable of West Midlands Police has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Luke Walton, 50, "flew into a rage" in Bearwood Road, Smethwick, in August 2023.

Chief Constable Craig Guildford was on duty in the area and intervened, but was kicked by Walton, who had been drinking, while another officer was punched, police said.

Walton, of Pershore Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker and was given a sentence of 13 weeks, suspended for 18 months, at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Mr Guildford said tackling anti-social behaviour on the streets was a priority for the West Midlands force.

"Mr Walton had his chance and was causing members of the public to avoid the area," he said.

"When disorder broke out in a Smethwick street back in August last year I was in the local area so stepped in to prevent it with my colleagues.

"Assaults such as this on our officers are completely unacceptable and it is important that those responsible are held to account by the courts on behalf of the public."