Man jailed for 15 years for attack on PC Lisa Bates
THE man who attacked Sheffield PC Lisa Bates with an axe has been sentenced to 15-years in jail.
Nathan Sumner, 35, was convicted by a jury of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent following a trial in October, appearing back in Sheffield Crown Court today for sentencing. PC Bates, 32, suffered a deep wound to the back of her head, a fractured skull, multiple breaks to her ankle, and her right index finger was almost severed.
On Wednesday, 13 April this year, PC Lisa Bates and another officer responded to a domestic incident at Sumner’s flat on Plowright Close at around 7.50pm.
When they arrived Sumner was armed with an axe and was behaving erratically. A member of the public witnessed Sumner use the axe to inflict heavy blows to PC Lisa Bates’s head and body in the unprovoked attack, and her colleague bravely pulled PC Bates to the safety of his flat, also on Plowright Close.
She is still recovering eight months after the attack due to the severity of her injuries and remains unable to return to work at her base of Woodseats Police Station.
The force remains hopeful she will in time, make a full recovery, and PC Bates has reiterated her thanks again today: “I would like to say thank you to the investigation team, my police colleagues and the public for their constant support and kind messages during what has been a very difficult time.
“I would also like to make special mention of the surgical assessment unit at Northern General Hospital, who provided such outstanding care. They went above and beyond in their duty to care for me and my family and it meant so much.”
DI Paul Wilson, who led the inquiry, added: “PC Bates was responding to a routine call when she was violently attacked by Sumner and the devastating injuries inflicted upon her could very easily have been fatal.
“He showed absolutely no regard for the consequences of his violent actions, and it’s a stark reminder of the potential danger our officers face every single day and I wish PC Bates the very best in her continued recovery. “
The jury convicted Sumner of section 18 GBH and acquitted him of the attempted murder charge on Monday, 24 October. On his release, Sumner will be on license for five years.