A COLCHESTER man who almost killed a police officer by slashing him across the face with a piece of glass has been given an indefinite hospital order.

Ahmed Poka, 23, was ruled unfit to stand trial at Chelmsford Crown Court after he was charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

Instead, he faced a trial of facts, held in cases where a defendant is not fit to enter a plea.

On June 3 this year, the trial found Poka, of Boxted Road, carried out both acts.

The charges related to an incident on the afternoon of September 7, 2022.

Officers were called to Goodman House, Harlow, at 4pm to assist with a missing persons enquiry relating to Poka.

An officer called out to Poka and approached him, but Poka responded with violence.

He attacked the officer using a large shard of glass, running it down the side of the policeman's jaw and neck, and missing a major artery by just over 1cm.

Officers restrained Poka and called for emergency assistance to provide medical aid to their injured colleague.

The injured officer was taken to hospital and treated with stitches but will probably be scarred for life.

At a hearing at the same court last Wednesday (September 11), Poka was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order under the 1983 Mental Health Act.

Fe can only ever be released if expert clinicians and the Ministry of Justice decide he is no longer a risk to the public.

Judge Christopher Morgan said such an order was necessary to protect the public and added it was not possible to say how long Poka would remain a risk of serious harm.

Judge Morgan said: “The final matter in this case is to express the gratitude that everyone has to officers such as [the victim] and his colleagues who, without any thought for their own safety, seek to protect the safety of others.”

Investigating officer Det Con Alfred Self said: “This has proven to be a challenging investigation and court process, but I am hopeful this resolution will ensure Poka can pose no further danger to the public and to serving officers.

“Every day, police officers dedicate themselves to keeping the public safe.

“That work often means anticipating a level of danger, placing themselves deliberately in harm’s way to catch criminals and safeguard the community.

“But, as this case proves, this danger can be spontaneous and unpredictable.

“In this case, officers were simply responding to a missing persons enquiry – working to ensure the welfare and safety of Poka.

“Instead, within a few short moments of utterly shocking violence, this officer was left fearing for his life.

“This offence has had a profound and life-changing impact on not just the injured officer, but his colleagues.

“I can only hope the conclusion of this case and the thorough nature of our investigation will bring a small degree of closure for them.”