A violent incident in Cwmbran, Wales shocked the community when a drunken man, Richard Nodwell, brutally assaulted police officer PC Nathan Attwell. The attack left the officer unconscious, bleeding heavily from his face, and with severe injuries including a fractured eye socket and nose. The disturbing assault took place after Nodwell repeatedly punched and kicked PC Attwell during an attempted arrest.
The incident began when Nodwell’s daughter called the police on December 20 to report that her father had attempted to gain entry into her house and had broken a glass pane in her door. PC Attwell was dispatched to Cwmbran to locate Nodwell, finding him near the Church of Our Lady of the Angels. From the outset, Nodwell displayed aggression towards PC Attwell, refusing to comply with instructions and eventually launching a violent and sustained attack on the officer.
Richard Nodwell continued to punch and kick PC Attwell even after he had fallen to the floor, leaving the officer unconscious and disorientated. Shocking footage from PC Attwell’s bodywork camera captured the aftermath of the assault, showing him being approached by concerned members of the public as blood dripped from his face. Despite attempts to escape, Nodwell was eventually apprehended by other officers after a confrontation where he spat at and bit them.
The court heard that PC Attwell suffered a range of injuries, including a fractured eye socket, a fractured nose, nerve damage, and anxiety as a result of the attack. In a victim personal statement read to the court, PC Attwell described the trauma he experienced, the impact on his work and personal life, and his apprehension about returning to duty. Following the assault, PC Attwell has not yet been able to return to his normal duties and has accepted a new role as a police trainer away from public-facing duties.
In a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, Richard Nodwell pleaded guilty to section 18 wounding with intent and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker. His defense lawyer cited issues with alcohol and a relapse triggered by personal circumstances. Nodwell was sentenced to six years and four months in prison, with an extended licence period of three years. The judge emphasized the severity of the assault on PC Attwell, highlighting the importance of protecting emergency workers.
The Crown Prosecution Service strongly condemned the attack, emphasizing the serious consequences of assaulting emergency workers. They pledged to work diligently with law enforcement to ensure the safety and protection of those who serve the community. The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks and dangers faced by frontline emergency workers in the line of duty. The community stands in support of PC Attwell and all emergency workers who dedicate themselves to protecting and serving the public.