Drunken Leeds thug who left two police officers in hospital escapes jail thanks to "soft" judge

A JUDGE has been described as "soft" for handing a suspended prison sentence to a man who put two police officers in hospital in a violent attack.

West Yorkshire Police Federation accused judge Mushtaq Khokhar of "undermining the rule of law" over the community penalty handed to the drunken thug who left one constable with injuries which meant he had to spend three months away from work.

Paul Hutchinson laughed when interviewed about the violence he used towards the officers at his home in Seacroft, Leeds.

He then went on the run for 12 months to avoid punishment.

Leeds Crown Court heard one officer suffered a serious shoulder injury in the violence.

The other suffered stomach pains and badly swollen fingers after being kicked and punched.

Hutchinson, 24, fled court on the day he was due to stand trial over assaults.

He was arrested a year later after committing burglaries near to his home.

Judge Khokhar gave Hutchinson a suspended sentence with unpaid work after hearing how he would keep if his job if he was not jailed.

After the case, Chief Inspector Nick Smart, chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation said: "We are at the forefront of the "Protect the Protectors" campaign.

"Part of this campaign is lobbying to ensure that those who assault police officers receive a custodial sentence upon conviction at court.

"In this case, Judge Khokhar has undermined the rule of law and officer confidence in the criminal justice system.

"It's is simply a disgraceful sentence, and unacceptable decision, given that the judge recognises that the sentence should be a custodial one.

"I think in the current climate given the risks police officers face and the danger we are prepared to put ourselves in to protect the public, this sentence will have many shaking their heads in disbelief.

"This soft and wrong decision underlines everything that is wrong with sentencing of those who assault police officers."

The two constables were sent to a house on Southway Lane, Seacroft, in the early hours on May 30, 2015, after a report of a disturbance between family members.

Martin Robertshaw, prosecuting, said the officers recognised Hutchinson's brother as being wanted by the police in relation to a different matter.