Brute stuffed key between his knuckles before punching police officer in face

A violent brute caused a "deep laceration" to a police officer's face by concealing a key between his knuckles and striking him.

Matthew Smith, 40, launched the attack on the officer when police arrived at a home after being called out to a domestic situation. The assaulted officer received a serious cut beneath his eye and was fortunate not to lose his sight, Durham Crown Court heard.

Smith had to be subdued with a Taser and was ultimately restrained by three officers during the violent episode. Prior to the assault, he had expressed his dislike for police, saying he hated them "more than anyone on the planet".

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This incident occurred two years following Smith's threats towards a family amid a clash in Milton Keynes, where he brandished a golf club and vandalised a house's windows.

On Monday, appearing via link from HMP Durham at Durham Crown Court, Smith of Bradley Street, Easington Colliery - between Hartlepool and Peterlee - faced sentencing for:

• assaulting an emergency worker,

• possessing an offensive weapon,

• making threats with such a weapon,

• criminal damage,

• a public order offence.

He pleaded guilty to all the crimes, reports Chronicle Live.

It was disclosed in court that back in 2021, aftera dispute between two families in Milton Keynes, Smith had turned up with a golf club to intimidate individuals. Subsequently, he proceeded to break the windows of a house using the club.

Two years on, on August 26 last year, a domestic disturbance call led police to the Peterlee residence. Upon arrival, both Smith and a woman were confrontational towards the officers.

Prosecutor Annelise Haugstad detailed the incident: "The defendant said 'I don't want to speak to people I hate more than anyone else on the planet'. The defendant then lunged and struck a PC to the face with his hand. Three officers were involved in the arrest and he was struck to the head to gain control."

With a history of 30 previous convictions for over 70 offences, Smith was also Tasered during the altercation, during which Smith struck the officer with the key between his knuckles.

Mitigating, Michele Turner, said Smith had endured "childhood trauma" an struggled with anger in his younger years. She said he'd sought mental health support and is now drug-free.

Judge Robert Adams, upon sentencing, remarked that the assault "could have blinded" the officer and sentenced Smith to three years in prison.

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