In an unique interview, Senior Constable Anthea Beck described how the incident unfolded as she and a colleague responded to a disturbance relating to face masks on the Exeter Lodge in October 2021.
The offender, Raina Cruise, who had been vocally against vaccines, set upon Beck, who was 10 weeks pregnant on the time.
“(There was) instant hostility, there was no lead up, there was no warning,” Beck mentioned.
“She simply reached out, knocked the hat off my head, grabbed a handful of hair and simply dropped to the bottom.”
Cruise was discovered responsible over the assault, however was initially given a suspended sentence, that means she wasn’t required to serve time behind bars.
“The suspended sentence was not consistent with societal expectations of what occurs while you assault police,” Beck mentioned.
Following the enchantment’s success and the imposition of a custodial sentence, Beck mentioned she felt “reduction and satisfaction”.
“It sends a message to the neighborhood that for those who assault an emergency employee, that you may anticipate a custodial sentence.”
Regardless of the ordeal, Beck intends to proceed her profession.
“Being a police officer clearly has its ups and downs, and that is only a down of (an) in any other case very fulfilling profession,” she mentioned.
“It’s an ongoing journey, I hope that this sentence can have some closure to that journey.”
Beck had initially anxious the stress of the assault had prompted injury to her unborn little one, however her little woman, Marcella, was born glad and wholesome.
