Thug jailed for punching a policewoman three times in the head during an arrest
A REMORSELESS thug initially spared jail for bashing a policewoman is now behind bars because he continues to maintain the brutal attack was an accident.
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A REMORSELESS thug initially spared jail for bashing a policewoman is now behind bars because he continues to maintain the brutal attack was an accident.
Ahmed El Lababidi, 26, viciously assaulted a young senior constable, punching her three times in the head as she tried to him arrest in April last year.
Despite tough new laws promising jail for thugs who attack emergency service workers he was spared a prison term by a magistrate who instead placed him on a community corrections order.
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That sentence was successfully appealed by the Director of Public Prosecutions who argued it was manifestly inadequate, and El Lababidi was jailed for eight months.
But he was given a get out of jail card after he successfully appealed that sentence and was bailed after serving just 44 days of the sentence.
But County Court judge Christopher Ryan on Monday re-sentenced El Lababidi to another eight month term, finding he lacked any remorse or insight into his vile offending.
El Lababidi had been fighting to be placed back on a community corrections order, and had persuaded Judge Ryan that his psychosis at the time of the attack should spare him a mandatory minimum jail term.
Judge Ryan had him assessed for a community corrections order, but he was found suitable because he lacked any insight or remorse into the attack.
His victim has endured multiple operations, now wears a denture and has ongoing nightmares.
She has also lost her confidence as a police officer.
The officer, who was off work for six weeks, no longer wants to be on the front line.
Wayne Gatt, Secretary of the Police Association, said: “We are satisfied that the court has recognised the seriousness of this offence and the impact it has had on the health of our member.
“We are pleased that the DPP chose to appeal the original sentence of a CCO and we’re heartened to see the court uphold the eight month jail sentence that was imposed on appeal.
“This was a vicious act of violent aggression against one of our members as she was doing her job to protect the community.
“She was punched in the mouth multiple times after arresting someone who had just committed a burglary.
“Violence against police shouldn’t be accepted as a hazard of the job and we have long argued that sentences for those who assault police should reflect this.”
El Lababidi was also fined $950.