Essex Police officer who almost died after brutal glass attack quits force

A judge said it was not possible to say how long Poka would remain a risk of serious harm
-Credit: (Image: Essex Police)


An Essex Police officer who almost died after a brutal attack in Colchester has left the force and his attacker given an indefinite hospital order. Ahmed Poka, 23, brutally attacked the officer by slashing him across the face and neck with a piece of glass.

He was deemed unfit to stand trial after being charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon. On June 3 this year a trial of facts found Poka, of Boxted Road in Colchester, carried out both acts.

Officers were called to Goodman House in Harlow at around 4pm on September 7 in 2022 to assist with a missing persons enquiry relating to Poka. Once at the scene an officer called out to him and approached him.

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Poka responded with violence and, using a large shard of glass, he attacked the officer and ran it down the side of his jaw and neck. He missed a major artery by little more than 1cm. The injured officer was taken on to hospital and treated with stitches but will likely be left scarred for life. He has since left Essex Police and is understood to no longer be in policing.

At a hearing on September 11 he was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order. He can only ever be released if expert clinicians and the Home Secretary are satisfied he no longer poses a risk to the public.

Judge Christopher Morgan said such an order was necessary to protect the public and added it was not possible to say how long Poka would remain a risk of serious harm. Addressing the victim, Judge Morgan said: "The final matter in this case is to express the gratitude that everyone has to officers such as [the victim] and his colleagues who, without any thought for their own safety, seek to protect the safety of others."

Officer in the case Detective Constable Alfred Self said: "This has proven to be a challenging investigation and court process, but I am hopeful this resolution will ensure Poka can pose no further danger to the public and to serving officers. Every day, police officers dedicate themselves to keeping the public safe.

"That work often means anticipating a level of danger, placing themselves deliberately in harm’s way to catch criminals and safeguard the community. But, as this case proves, this danger can be spontaneous and unpredictable.

"In this case, officers were simply responding to a missing persons enquiry – working to ensure the welfare and safety of Poka. Instead, within a few short moments of utterly shocking violence, this officer was left fearing for his life.

"This offence has had a profound and life-changing impact on not just the injured officer, but his colleagues. I can only hope the conclusion of this case and the thorough nature of our investigation will bring a small degree of closure for them."