3:38pm Thursday 21st February 2008
By Sam Adams
A BRAVE young policeman came within millimetres of death when he was stabbed in the neck by a knife-wielding thug on a drug-fuelled rampage.
Doctors told the officer he was lucky to be alive after the six-inch blade narrowly missed his main artery and tendons when the crazed knifeman thrust it into him.
The unnamed policeman, who is in his 20s, was one of three officers stabbed as they tried to arrest a man who was thrown out of the Old Maypole pub, in Hainault, at 11pm, on Friday, February 15.
Another of the officers was saved by his body armour when the knifeman, thought to be high on drink and cocaine, hammered the six-inch knife into his chest as he came to the aid of his injured colleague.
The third policeman, believed to be in his 30s, received deep gashes to his hands as he tried to intervene.
The crazed knifeman was only subdued after six officers chased him along Fencepiece Road before catching him and pinning him to the ground. The knife was later recovered from a nearby garden.
Superintendent Richard Player praised his officers for their courage, and said the attack highlighted the dangers faced by police on a daily basis.
He said: "These officers put their lives on the line to make sure the public were kept safe.
"This is what they are trained for and what they are paid for, but I think it's important people know that they are faced with this danger every single day.
"These officers arrived at the scene knowing full well that the suspect might be armed with a knife, and did what they're trained for, professionally and bravely."
The policeman who was stabbed in the neck has since left hospital after undergoing treatment for his wound.
All three officers remain off work while they recover from their ordeal.
l A 20-year-old man appeared at Redbridge Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with wounding with intent, attempted grievous bodily harm, and occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was committed to stand trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, May 15.
Anyone with information should call Ilford police on 8478 1123.
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