Police body camera helps to bring man who hit woman to justice

Malbert Funnell, 24, was caught on body cam being aggressive before assaulting a police officer who had been called to a domestic assault.

Video footage shown to Norwich Magistrates Court showed the victim, who was at home with her baby at the time, visibly upset as she answered the door to the officer.

She said she had been slapped after the defendant 'just kicked off'.

The court heard he had thrown paint down the stairs, onto a carpet and over a push chair and also damaged a light fitting.

The officer went upstairs where Funnell, who was told he was being filmed, became increasingly agitated after being told he was going to be arrested.

The defendant, who was using abusive language, pushed past the officer who grabbed his arm and T-shirt.

As he ran down the stairs she was dragged with him and scraped her arm and leg against the wall resulting in scrapes and bruises.

Funnell broke free and ran off despite the officer drawing her Taser.

The defendant was arrested a few days after the incident, which happened on July 2 this year.

The court was told the victim no longer wanted to support a prosecution and did not attend a trial last month.

But with the evidence captured on video the case proceeded and Funnell pleaded guilty to the assault on his partner and on the police officer.

He also admitted two counts of criminal damage, one which related to an earlier offence, and possession of cannabis.

Funnell, of Neville Road, Sutton, near Stalham, was sentenced to a 24-month community order which included 40 hours of unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay £50 compensation to the police officer, £30 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Rebecca Utton, mitigating, said he accepted what he had done and was remorseful. She said he suffered from anxiety and was concerned about being held in a confined space, which prompted him to act as he had.

Body cameras are being worn by frontline officers in Norfolk and Suffolk as part of a £1m project.