Holloway man jailed for riot attack
A man who robbed a special constable as he made his way home from policing the London riots has been jailed for two years.
Biniam Tekle, 21, of Holloway Road, Holloway, attacked 51-year-old Andrew Hill after he finished a 15-hour shift in the early hours of August 9.
Special Police Constable (SPC) Hill had just finished policing the disorder in Camden when he was set upon by Tekle and another man as he walked along Pentonville Road. The pair tried to grab a briefcase and a bag containing the victim’s uniform.
During the struggle SPC Hill was pulled to the floor and dragged along the road by Tekle who had managed to take the briefcase from him before running off. But a team of officers patrolling witnessed the incident and chased Tekle before arresting him.
SPC Hill, a minister with the Free Church in Highgate for three years, and a SPC for 18 months, said last week: “I had been on duty for 15 hours and had also been working the day before so I was tired but still fairly buoyed up.
“I was planning to wear my uniform at my daughter’s wedding this Saturday and as I saw the bag disappearing into the distance my heart sank.
“But it was only out of my hands for 30 seconds before my colleagues came to my aid – their response was incredibly speedy and I am indebted to them.”
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It emerged during Tekle’s hearing at Wood Green Crown Court on August 15 that he had been watching coverage of the disorder on television shortly before the robbery.
Praising the role played by SPCs during the disorder, acting commissioner Tim Godwin said: “I am grateful to all those Specials who have responded to the extraordinary circumstances of recent days, giving their time to keep London safe. Their contribution has been invaluable.”
