Shocking footage has captured the moment a police officer cried out in pain as a suspect bit him on the leg during a violent arrest in Gloucester. Luke Goodhall, 39, from Cheltenham, has been jailed after wounding the constable who was attempting to take him into custody.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Cheltenham Magistrates Court on February 19, Goodhall admitted two offences. He was sentenced to nine months in prison for assaulting the officer, occasioning actual bodily harm. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to common assault of an emergency worker—a second police officer—and received a six-month sentence, to run concurrently.
Goodhall was also charged with one count of assault by beating another person and is due in court on March 25 regarding this allegation. Due to committing these offences while on licence, he will serve the remainder of his previous prison sentence followed by the nine-month term handed out last month.
Body-Worn Video Reveals True Events
In the officer's body-worn video, he can be heard shouting about being bitten and repeatedly pleading with Goodhall to release his grip. Police say this footage disproves previous online theories that claimed the video showed the officer using unnecessary force.
A passerby filmed the interaction and posted it online, sparking a social media frenzy where the Gloucestershire Constabulary officer was slammed for the use of force. However, following a review by the Professional Standards Department, the actions have been deemed proportionate, necessary, and legitimate.
Police Statement and Context
A police spokesperson stated: 'A man has been jailed after he bit a police officer during his arrest in Gloucester last month. What was not clear from the video, which was posted without sound, is that the man who was under arrest, 39-year-old Luke Goodhall, was biting the officer's leg at the time.'
Police explained that Goodhall had been released from prison recently and was on licence. On February 17, around 7:20 PM, a member of staff in the Force Control Room saw him on CCTV running after a person he knew. It is alleged he assaulted them, leading to his arrest on Eastgate Street. He was further arrested for biting the officer and trying to knee another officer in the face during a search.
Officer's Response and Broader Implications
The injured officer, who has served for 11 years, said: 'I strongly believe in informed decision making and healthy discussions. Being open, honest and acting with integrity is key to bridging the gap between police and the public.'
He added: 'It is unfortunate that I was injured in this instance, but if any positive can be drawn from this, I hope the transparency helps foster an understanding into use of force and decision making.'
Senior Police Comments
Temporary Chief Superintendent Erica Field, Gloucestershire Police's Use of Force lead, emphasized: 'Police officers are only allowed to use force to the extent that it is necessary, proportionate and legitimate in all the circumstances.' She noted that officers are trained to use the least amount of force required and attend annual Public and Personal Safety Training.
Temporary Inspector Adam Williams, Branch Chair of Gloucestershire Police Federation, highlighted the scrutiny officers face: 'Police officers face an extraordinary level of scrutiny in today's world, and we absolutely recognise the importance of transparency and accountability. But that scrutiny must be fair and based on the full facts—not on selectively edited clips circulated online without context.'
He pointed out alarming statistics: nearly 49,000 officer assaults in the past year in the UK, meaning an attack every 10 minutes. Williams concluded: 'Our colleague showed professionalism throughout a dynamic and distressing situation. We are proud of the courage and dedication he displayed.'
