A Luton man has been jailed after spraying a noxious substance into the faces of two police officers who attended a domestic assault call on May 17. Ionut Spanache, 31, admitted multiple offences and was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on 17 July.
Officers injured while carrying out routine welfare check
Body-worn camera footage captured PCs Hollie and Molly approaching the door at the address when Spanache discharged the substance, forcing both officers to retreat. PC Hollie bore the worst of the attack and suffered temporary blindness and breathing difficulties as a result of exposure. PC Molly also experienced burning to her face and hands while assisting her colleague.
“As we arrived at the address, our priority was to get into the property and ensure everyone was okay. Neither of us could have anticipated what happened next; there was no time to protect ourselves,”
PC Hollie described how the burning sensation intensified until she could no longer see and had trouble breathing. Despite her own injuries, PC Molly cleared the substance from PC Hollie’s eyes and mouth and called for urgent help.
“There is simply no excuse for what Spanache did that day, and I’m glad he has received a custodial sentence,”
Spanache, of Dunstable Road, pleaded guilty to the following charges:
- Two counts of assault on an emergency worker
- Possession of a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid
- Actual bodily harm
He received a two-year custodial sentence at Luton Crown Court on 17 July.
Police reaction and wider concerns
Superintendent Rachael Glendenning condemned the attack and highlighted the broader risk officers face when responding to calls. She drew attention to recent figures showing a worrying rise in serious assaults on police, noting an instance when 33 officers were seriously assaulted across a seven‑day period and several required hospital treatment.
The case underlines the unpredictable hazards emergency workers regularly encounter while protecting the public and carrying out welfare checks. Officers frequently attend volatile scenes with little warning, placing themselves in harm’s way to safeguard others.
| Incident date | 17 May |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Ionut Spanache, 31, of Dunstable Road |
| Sentence | 2 years custodial (Luton Crown Court, 17 July) |
The sentencing emphasises that assaults on emergency workers are treated seriously by the courts. Local police appeal to the public for continued support and cooperation to keep frontline staff safe while they respond to incidents across Luton.
