Bristol policewoman hit by pint glass could lose eyesight
These are the horrific injuries a police officer sustained when she was allegedly glassed in a pub.
PC Hen Staveley-Brown was hit by a pint glass while answering an emergency call at the Wayfarer Pub in Southmead.
The 40-year-old could lose the sight in her left eye and has had to have dozens of stitches in wounds on her forehead – just inches above her eye. She has also been left with broken bones in her face.
The incident happened inside the pub, which is in Pen Park Road, at about 11pm on Saturday.
It is understood a fight broke out in the pub and police were called, but the force has refused to reveal details of what had happened.
The officer is thought to have been injured almost immediately after she walked into the bar.
Other officers were also injured in the incident, although none as seriously as PC Staveley-Brown.
Detective Inspector Marie Wright, who is leading the investigation, said: "This incident has left PC Staveley-Brown with serious injuries that may be permanent. It is now vital that anyone who may have been in the Wayfarer Pub at the time of this incident comes forward, as their information may be vital to this investigation.
"I would urge anyone who may have seen anything or has information to contact police."
The pub has been temporarily closed and last night pub manager Pete Faulkner refused to comment on Saturday’s events, but said the pub would reopen on Sunday.
John Hawkins, 78, who has lived on the other side of a wall behind the pub on Briarside Road for 15 years, said: "We don’t see much trouble from there, apart from sometimes kids climbing over the wall from the pub.
"What goes on the other side of the wall, I don’t know, but I’ve never had any problems with them."
Three people have been charged with assault of police officers and two others remain on police bail while investigations continue.
Damien Gordon, aged 28, of Bristol, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm to PC Staveley-Brown, affray and assault of another police officer.
Sean Teddy, 31, also of Bristol, has been charged with actual bodily harm of a police officer and affray.
Emmalene Spaulding, aged 27, of Bristol, has been charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer.
Witnesses to the attack should contact police on 0845 456 7000 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Callers do not have to give their names and could qualify for a reward.
29 Comments
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by L, London
Friday, February 20 2009, 1:16PM
“The owner of the pub should be made responsible for not providing a safe place to socialise, as a landlord surely you have to follow health & safety procedures if this pub has the reputation then why the hell was it just left to an enevitable outcome like this. How on earth can they know who did it? has anyone checked the injuries to see if it was a flying glass or 'point blank' as they say. What a shame for the woman, Police should have appropriate armour in such situations, bad management on both parties I think.”
by george, southmead
Monday, February 16 2009, 2:10PM
“K were you there on the night how do you know whats happened. You don't! I am not narrow minded and yes you are right to your opinion. But you seem to be very anti Police. Who would you call in an emergency the POLICE. The PC did not deserve this and yes it is an attack. She was doing her job because the landlord called the Police. What person would the Officers had been if they sat outside and let members of the public get injured. JP comment was silly because he has stated the Southmead Officers have no clue. I live in Southmead and think they do a brilliant job in very tough situations. As I say you don't know what happened that night what would you be saying if the Police did nothing? Maybe you should think about that and also that a human being has had suffered serious injuries does not matter what uniform they are wearing. How were you feel if it was someone you know I doubt you would be writing the things you have.”
by k, bristol
Monday, February 16 2009, 11:06AM
“george if you read my peice properly you will see my reference made was about the conduct of the police on the night in question. Why is it that clearly you and the BEP seem to think that open minded people who question the behaviour of the police as well as the yobs are not entitled to our opinions. You say "attacked" the PC walked into a pub brawl, the focus has been on her as she is an officer but i wonder how many people in pub that night were also hit by flying glass? And as for your comment about JP, surely as you are he is perfectly entitled to his opinion about the police at southmead whether it be good or bad just because his views don't match yours it doesn't mean he does'nt have a clue, how do you know what personal experience he has had with them. Perhaps you should think about that! or are you that narrow minded you believe the police are always right? As Jay quite rightly pointed out before "Colin Stag" and if it does'nt ring a bell for you george maybe you should google him and enlighten yourself!”
by j, bristol
Monday, February 16 2009, 10:55AM
“"george southmead"
no one is forgetting about her injuries, I think you might find that most people are just posing the question of how the police dealt with this emergency call to a pub brawl of 50-80 people fightiing they need to seriously look at themselves here and hopefully an internal investigation will be done and we as the public will get to here about it”
by Freedom of speech?, DEFINATELY not here......
Monday, February 16 2009, 8:24AM
“I see the BEP Stasi have been deleting comments left, right and centre. Again.”