POLICE

A man who slashed a Rotherham response officer, leaving him requiring hospital treatment, has been jailed

On 17 July, armed with a knife, Glynn Leedell violently charged at the response officer who, along with colleagues, was responding to reports of threatening behaviour at Kimberworth Park in Rotherham.

Multiple people had reported Leedell for his behaviour towards a woman after he was seen acting aggressively and making threats to assault her.

During the incident, Leedell attacked the officer, causing a slash wound to the back of the neck which required hospital treatment. The injured officer and his colleagues managed to restrain Leedell, remove the knife from his possession and arrest him. A second officer also suffered injuries to his hand.

The 46-year-old was charged with harassment, assault of an emergency worker and wounding with intent.

Appearing at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday 29 August, Leedell, of Binders Road, was jailed for four years and six months after previously pleading guilty to wounding with intent. The counts of harassment and assault of an emergency worker will remain on file.

Rotherham District Commander Chief Superintendent Andy Wright said: “Our officers put themselves at risk every day as they work to keep the public safe. This was a disgraceful act of violence which could have had devastating consequences.

“I am thankful that the officers concerned did not suffer more serious injuries from this vicious attack. I would like to commend both officer’s bravery during this incident.

Despite sustaining injuries, they courageously helped their colleagues restrain Leedell and remove the knife from the situation – ensuring no one else could be injured.

Leedell not only injured our officers but subjected an innocent woman to threats and abuse – making her feel unsafe in her own home as well as affecting others in the community.

His reckless act of violence has landed him a considerable prison sentence, serving as a reminder that we will not tolerate any aggression towards our officers.”

A man is set to appear in court today charged with a serious sexual offence involving a child in Rotherham in 2007

Khezir Ilyas, 46, from Rotherham, is due to appear at Sheffield Crown Court today following his arrest as part of Operation Stovewood — the investigation into historic sexual offences in Rotherham.

He is accused of raping a 15-year-old girl in 2007, after being taken into custody in June.

Thirteen people have been arrested and 31 children safeguarded following a week of action led by South Yorkshire Police.

The arrests were made as part of an operation targeting internet sexual offences. Between Monday 11 August and Friday 15 August, officers carried out 15 investigations and executed 15 warrants, leading to 13 arrests for offences including making or possessing indecent images of children and sexual communications with a child.

The dedicated week of action, led by the Internet Sexual Offences Team (ISOT), saw multiple departments from across the force work with partner agencies to enforce safeguarding actions on investigations across all districts.

Detective Inspector Lee Wilson, of the ISOT Team, said: “This weeklong operation has prioritised high risk investigations and most importantly safeguarded a number of vulnerable people.

“Our priority is safeguarding children and ensuring this is done in line with the national safeguarding timescales.

“ISOT is a challenging and difficult space and the reason we all come to work every day is to keep children safe and to stop sexual offenders.”

As a result of the operation, 31 children in South Yorkshire who were identified as being at potential risk of sexual harm or offending have been safeguarded.

Over 60 digital devices were also seized and will be forensically examined by the Digital Forensic Unit for evidence.

DI Wilson added: “Like previous operations of this nature, this week of action has produced some fantastic results while also showcasing the vital importance of multi-departmental work in this area.

“The success of this operation is down to the team effort from across South Yorkshire Police and partners. This has ensured the safety of some of our communities’ most vulnerable people.”