Guilty verdict for man who assaulted officer

A man who assaulted a police officer in August 2020 has been found guilty at court.

After a week-long trial at Hull Crown Court, Bilal Ocal (27) of Hopwood Close, Hull, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm.

The court heard that, on Sunday 2nd August 2020, an officer spoke to Ocal after he was seen not wearing a seatbelt whilst driving a car near to Pearson Park, Hull. Ocal became abusive and got out of his car before punching the officer to the face. The resulting injuries to the officer required surgery.

Ocal fled the scene but was found hiding in a bush shortly after with his hands covered in blood.

DI Crawforth said: “We take assaults on our officers incredibly seriously. This incident highlights yet again that our colleagues never know who or what they may come into contact with.

“No one should have to expect that a relatively simple and seemingly innocuous traffic matter could elicit such a violent level of resistance.

“We look forward to what is hopefully a proportionally serious sentence that sends out a clear message that violence against our officers, or in our communities, will not be tolerated.”

Ocal is due to be sentenced on Friday 29 April.