Police officer punched in Bodmin says weak sentence won't deter others

A police officer who was punched in the face by a man she was trying to arrest in Bodmin has told ITV News the offender's sentence will not deter others from attacking emergency workers.

Sam Bowdrey pleaded guilty to assaulting PC Emma Buley and her colleague along with other offences and was given an eight month sentence. But the frontline officer says he's likely to be out in half that time.

It was 7.45am when PC Emma Buley left a house in Bodmin with a fat lip and a bruised cheek.

The offender went straight to court the next day, but after pleading guilty to the assaults and other offences, he was given eight months jail time.

PC Buley says it'll only be four months before she's likely to run into him again.

She tweeted her frustrations to the Prime Minister.

A new law came in December 2018 to double the maximum sentence for those who attack emergency workers.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Davies isn't convinced it's working.