By
Eddie Wrenn
Last updated at 11:53 AM on 15th February 2012
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Craig Goddard repeatedly stabbed officer in the face
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Thief ‘prepared to use knife on anyone who stopped him stealing from MS’
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Couragous PC Fenton returned to work the next day
This is the moment a thief caught stealing meat turned on a police officer and stabbed him in the face with a pair of scissors in a horrific frenzied attack.
Craig Goddard, 42, turned on PC Leigh Fenton after being caught stealing meat from Marks Spencers in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, in July last year.
Goddard, jailed today for eight years for the attack, repeatedly tried to stab the traffic officer in the face and head.
Detectives said it was ‘sheer luck’ that PC Fenton was not more seriously injured.
Frenzied: Goddard’s vicious attack on PC Fenton was captured on CCTV
Jailed: Craig Goddard will spend eight years in prison for the attack
Norwich Crown Court heard PC Fenton had been walking past the store when he was called by staff to help apprehend Goddard.
Detective Constable Martin Brocklebank, from Cambridgeshire Constabulary, said: ‘Goddard armed himself with a weapon and was prepared to use it on anyone who tried to stop him stealing from the store.
‘This sort of attack demonstrates the dangers that every officer faces in their day-to-day work.
‘Leigh showed great courage and determination to defend himself during the attack and ensure Goddard was arrested.
‘It is only down to sheer luck that the officer did not suffer more serious injuries.
‘Despite the injury and the shock of the attack, he returned to work the following day.’
Goddard, from Huntingdon, attacked PC Fenton with a pair of scissors after he approached him outside Marks Spencer on July 14, last year.
A PCSO and two off-duty officers who had spotted the fracas came to PC Fenton’s rescue and he was taken to hospital for treatment.
Goddard denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent but was convicted following a trial at Huntingdon Crown Court.
But he was jailed for eight years at Norwich Crown Court today and sentenced to eight months for possession of a bladed article and four months for theft, to run concurrently.
Judge Nicholas Coleman also placed Goddard on a two-year extended licence.
PC Fenton and Craig Goddard can be seen grappling during the incident, which followed the theft of meat from Marks and Spencers
‘Sheer luck’: The officer was lucky to escape without more serious injuries
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Remove from gene pool please. As we all know the scum will be out soon and then more than likely kill someone’s love one.
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That is why police should be allowed to shoot and kill idiots like this without fear of the dozens of forms and reports after that.
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My partner is a police officer. Just be aware the next time you slate the police, THIS is what they may have to deal with next shift………..
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Why do we have to keep all this scum alive, now thats a waste of taxpayers money.
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Scumbag should do the entire eight years and not get time off. Menace to society
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Will you people never learn? Cameras don’t stop criminals. Criminals will ALWAYS have weapons. People that follow the laws are the only ones disarmed by laws that prevent you from protecting yourself with weapons. Brits are just cattle waiting to be slaughtered (unless you fight for your rights and get the laws changed).
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Lock him up throw away the key!…. infact no bring back hanging use him as an example to others who carry sharp weapons.
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People like this scum should be put down!
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8 years minus a 50 % reduction in jail time, minus time spent on remand……… He’ll be out on tag in about 1 year to 18 months, Inspite of the fact that this, was a very violent offender who had no problem in attacking an officer of the law.
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Complete and utter thug. Mind you…for the 3/4 years he actually spends in jail, he’ll probably be gobbling MS food courtesy of the Tax Payer…
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