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Youth punched fireman during frenzied attack


3/ 2/2006

A DRUNKEN teenage thug climbed into a fire engine and punched the driver during a frenzied attack on firefighters as they dealt with a blaze.

Daniel Wild, aged 15, appeared to be "totally out of control" when he attacked firefighters and their engine while they tried to put out a blazing car close to his home in Gainsborough Drive, Kirkholt.

He was the first person to be caught on a new CCTV system installed on the engine and images of the attack were printed in the Observer.

Wild pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour and was given a 12-month supervision order. The chairman of Rochdale magistrates, Peter Burton, said: "Here we have public employees who are doing a very dangerous job as you will know and agree. They are doing a brave job and should not have to deal with people like you causing them all sorts of problems."

Wild appeared in a youth court, which usually bans newspapers naming the defendant. But the court allowed him to be identified after ruling that it was in the public interest for his identity to be known.

Prosecutor Penny Maudsley told of the series of events on January 15 that led to the teenager's arrest.

On arrival, firefighters saw Wild walking away from the blazing car towards the fire engine. She said: "He appeared to be high on drugs or drink."

He then "totally lost it," shouting abuse and throwing an object at the fire engine. The incident culminated in Wild opening the driver's door and hitting a fire officer in the face.

Alan Mulcahy, defending, said: "He had been drinking all day and has no recollection of his behaviour."

Dave Astley, Rochdale's borough commander, said: "Getting that person to court alone is a success in my view.

"We went out to the area with letters asking for information after the incident and as a result we had 10 offers of help from residents. The police have also been excellent."


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Most recent 2 of 5 user comments

   The driver should have punched him back in selfdefence scum like this need a good kick up the backside.
Anthony, Accrington,Lancashire
23/02/2006 at 13:38
   12 month supervision order what a triumph for justice bet the fireman feels his efforts are worth the possibilty of attack just what do you have to do to get locked up maybe the courts should just be dissolved and local people hand out summary justice within a sensible tariff ie attacking a member of the emergegency services while carrying out his/her9s duty 4 years (not long enough i hear you cry) but i think the point is made
mel, rochdale
18/02/2006 at 11:22
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