Benefit-Funded Fines and a Slap on the Wrist for Repeat Police Assaulter?
As police officers face rising violence, the case of Sarah Morgan highlights a justice system that seems to favour offenders over those who are on the thin blue line.
Every ten minutes, a police officer in the UK is assaulted. Let that sink in: every ten minutes. By the time you have finished reading this blog, another police officer would have been attacked. These are the individuals who stand on the very thin blue line, risking their lives daily to ensure our safety from a growing threat of violence that seems to be on every corner of our cities, yet they are met with violence—sometimes brutal, sometimes repeated, but always unacceptable. The case of Sarah Morgan in Leicester is a prime example of how our judicial system is failing emergency workers.
A Disturbing Pattern of Violence
Sarah Morgan, of Cropthorne Avenue, Rowlatts Hill, Leicester, has a long history of violent behaviour, including multiple assaults on police officers. Her most recent offences occurred in December when she punched two female officers in the face and attempted to bite one of them after being restrained. These assaults took place while Morgan was under a community order for a previous attack on an officer in July, during which she punched, kicked, and also tried to bite her victim.
So, despite being on a community order and having assaulted another police officer, the community order failed; Morgan ignored the court order and once again attacked police officers.
Despite her history of violence towards emergency workers, Morgan once again escaped a custodial sentence. Instead, the court handed her a 20-week suspended sentence for her July and December offences, alongside orders for drug rehabilitation and further probationary measures. Magistrates claimed there was a "significant possibility of rehabilitation in the community."
Adding insult to injury, Morgan was fined a total of £50—an amount to be paid from her benefits. In essence, this means that the taxpayer is footing the bill for her punishment, not the offender herself. This raises serious questions about accountability and fairness within the system.
What message does this send, when you can get a lengthy custodial sentence in this country for what you post on social media, but, when it comes to repeatedly attacking emergency workers, then you can get a suspended prison sentence?
The Toll on Police Officers
Andy Spence, Chair of the Leicestershire Police Federation, has voiced the frustration and anger shared by many within the emergency services. He asked a question that resonates deeply not only with emergency workers, but with their supporters too: “How many officers need to be assaulted before the court gives a prison sentence? When did it become OK to assault a police officer?”
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In Leicestershire alone, over 900 officers were assaulted last year. Nationally, the figure stands at a staggering 55,954—more than 150 assaults every day. Personally, I think that you can tell a lot regarding the state of a country based on how its emergency workers are treated. These aren’t just statistics; they represent real people with families and colleagues who feel the ripple effects of these attacks. Officers injured in the line of duty are often left unable to work, placing additional strain on their colleagues and, ultimately, the public they serve.
A Broken System?
The Police Federation successfully lobbied the Government in 2020 to increase the maximum sentence for those who assault emergency workers to two years’ imprisonment. Yet, cases like Morgan’s highlight how rarely, if ever, this maximum penalty is applied. Instead, offenders frequently receive suspended sentences, community orders, or minimal fines—a slap on the wrist that does little to deter future attacks.
Keep in mind, that police officers have been sent to prison for the messages which they have exchanged in private WhatsApp groups.
During her latest court appearance, Prosecutor Sally Bedford outlined Morgan’s extensive criminal record. Despite multiple breaches of community orders and a clear pattern of alcohol- and drug-fueled violence, the court opted to suspend her sentence once again. The chairman of the bench, Simon Edwards, justified the decision by citing the "significant possibility of rehabilitation in the community."
The Impact on Society
When police officers are assaulted, it’s not just a crime against the men and women who rush to our aid when we call 999 for help; it’s a crime against all of us who agree to be law-abiding citizens. These attacks erode trust in the system and undermine the morale of those who dedicate their lives to public service. Worse still, they send a dangerous message—that violence against emergency workers is tolerated.
Anyone questioning why so many officers are leaving the police force and why so few are eager to join need only revisit this blog to grasp the tip of a much larger iceberg. This systemic issue poses serious challenges to anyone aspiring to live in a safe, crime-free society. This is especially disheartening given the substantial taxes we are forced to pay the Home Office and local police forces.
Morgan’s case is particularly egregious. During the December incident, officers responded to a domestic disturbance at her flat. She was described as "extremely drunk, emotional, and hysterical," according to Bedford. Despite initial apologies after punching one officer, Morgan continued to thrash about, ultimately assaulting a second officer and attempting to bite her hand. The officers were forced to use straps to restrain her.
This incident wasn’t an isolated outburst but part of a broader pattern. In July, Morgan was involved in another violent altercation, beginning with an argument in the street and escalating to an attack on police officers. Yet, the judicial response has remained consistent: leniency.
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A Call to Action
It’s time for change. Our judicial system must send a clear message that violence against police officers will not be tolerated. We want this to happen, but we already know nothing will change. Suspended sentences and minimal fines are inadequate responses to such serious offences. As Andy Spence rightly pointed out, “We need the judicial system to step up, recognise the important role of the police, and properly punish those who injure our officers.”
If an officer is injured and unable to work, the public ultimately pays the price. Communities lose a first responder, response times increase, and morale within the force suffers. It’s in everyone’s best interest to ensure that those who assault emergency workers face meaningful consequences.
Stand with Our Emergency Services
If you value the dedication and sacrifice of our emergency services, now is the time to act. Share this blog with your friends, family, and colleagues to raise awareness of the challenges our police officers face.
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The question remains: how many more officers must be assaulted before real change occurs?
OPINION: I am trying hard not to fall into the trap of thinking that we have a two-tier justice system in this country. But it's getting harder by the day!
In a society where the rule of law is supposed to be sacrosanct, the recent case of Sarah Morgan raises deep concerns about the consistency and fairness of the judicial system in the UK.
Here, we have an individual with a history of violent behaviour, including repeated attacks on police officers. Yet, she receives what can only be described as a lenient sentence: a suspended prison term and a fine that's essentially paid for by the public through her benefits.
This scenario inevitably leads to a discussion about the perceived disparities in judicial outcomes….[The remainder of this blog is for paying subscribers]
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