A man has been sentenced to 14 years for attacking a police officer, throwing her from her car and attempting to steal the vehicle.

Armed with weapons and wearing a balaclava, Owen Smith had robbed a Tesco in Horsham, West Sussex, stealing cigarettes, alcohol and cash with another man.

But he was disturbed by a patrolling police car that happened to pull up in the store's car park,.

The 29-year-old thief ran at it with a baseball bat, opening the door and attacking PC Ellie Young in the driver's seat, pulling her from the vehicle.

Image: Owen Smith and his accomplice threatened staff as they stole cigarettes and alcohol

CCTV shows the officer and her colleague, PC Vicky Canales, immediately leaping up to continue to tackle Smith, despite receiving injuries to her arms, legs, neck and shoulders.


Image: Owen Smith pleaded guilty to the charges. Pic: Sussex Police

Police officers were on their way to the scene after a staff member managed to escape the robbery and alert authorities.

Smith managed to get into the driving seat, but other members of the public and the newly arrived officers rushed to the vehicle as it moved, preventing him getting away.

Image: Other officers came to the aid of the two PCs

Smith was tasered and arrested, but his accomplice ran away and is yet to be apprehended.

Detective Chief Inspector Justina Beeken commended the bravery of the officers and the members of the public who ran towards the crime.

"Watching the CCTV of Owen Smith attacking our officers is absolutely harrowing, not least due to the ferocity of the attack," she said.

"No officer should be attacked while doing their job and I am thankful that no officers were more seriously hurt."

Smith pleaded guilty on 30 August to assault by beating a police constable, possession of an offensive weapon, robbery and taking a police vehicle without consent.

He was sentenced to 14 years in prison at Hove County Court.