Suspect arrested after spraying policewoman with pepper-spray
By: -----
Luton, UK - A man who sprayed female police officers with a substance they feared was acid has been jailed for two years.
Body cam footage captures the moment the pair were attacked as they went to a house in Luton following reports of a domestic assault in May.
Ionut Spanache sprayed the two women with an unknown toxic substance as he opened the door.
The footage shows PC Hollie stating that she could not see, with the toxic substance causing the officer to experience temporary blindness as well as breathing difficulties.
She said: "As we ran from the property, I could feel a burning sensation that progressively got worse until I couldn’t see and began struggling to catch my breath. My initial thought was that we’d been attacked with acid.
“It’s hard to describe how painful and distressing this experience was, but I am grateful for the immediate actions of PC Molly, paramedics and those who witnessed the aftermath."
Despite also experiencing a burning sensation to her face and hands, PC Molly quickly came to her colleague’s aid by clearing the substance from PC Hollie’s eyes and mouth whilst calling for help.
PC Molly said: “What should have been a routine call very quickly became an incident I will never forget.
“In that moment, I knew I needed to remain calm in order to keep PC Hollie calm too. My priority was making sure she was safe and getting her the help she needed as quickly as possible.
“There is simply no excuse for what Spanache did that day, and I’m glad he has received a custodial sentence.”
Spanache, 31, of Dunstable Road, Luton, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault on an emergency worker, possession of a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid, and actual bodily harm.