A prolific offender who attacked police officers, tearing one’s ear with a bite wound, has been give an extended sentence which will see him serve almost eight years in prison and four more on licence. Louey Kostromin, 37, was wanted on recall to prison when he assaulted the PCs sent to arrest him at probation offices on Bridge Street, Northampton, on August 6 last year.
When the officers arrived, Kostromin became violent towards them, grabbing one by the throat and repeatedly biting him.
As a result, the officer suffered a tear wound to the top of his right ear which required eight stitches, and was left with a bloodied and bruised arm. A second officer was punched in the face, causing bruising.
Kostromin, of no fixed address, was found guilty of one charge of grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent on April 12 this year following a trial, and admitted one count of assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty.
At his sentencing at Northampton Crown Court today, Tuesday, August 6, the court heard the officer Kostromin bit had feared for his life during the incident and has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. He cannot currently carry out frontline duties, and continues to suffer ongoing effects from the attack.
Sentencing, Judge Adrienne Lucking said: “Body-worn video of the officers shows they were patient and calm, when you punched one officer in the jaw.
“The officers tried to detain you, but you grabbed one PC by the neck with your hand and launched an attack with your teeth, holding on for around 15 seconds.”
She added Kostromin’s biting constituted the use of his teeth as a weapon, and noted his 24 previous court appearances had led to 39 convictions, including two previous assaults on police officers, possession of a samurai sword, possession of drugs and robbery.
Kostromin was ordered to serve an extended sentence of 11 years and 10 months for the
GBH offence, of which seven years and 10 months will be in prison, plus a further four years on licence.
Extended sentences are intended to protect the public from those judged to be dangerous sexual or violent offenders.
Kostromin was also given a one-month concurrent sentence for the second assault charge, and Judge Lucking commended the three officers involved for the calm, professional and sympathetic way they attempted to deal with Kostromin.
Speaking outside court, investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Karl Curtis of Northampton CID, said: “The assault Kostromin carried out against these officers as they simply tried to do their jobs was truly shocking. He employed his teeth as a weapon and even when restrained continued to bite and lash out.
“The officers showed commendable courage and professionalism in ensuring Kostromin was detained despite his feral behaviour, and it’s gratifying to see his sentence reflect both the seriousness of what he did as well as the considerable level of danger he poses to society.
“Northamptonshire Police does not tolerate violence against anyone, let alone the officers who spend their working lives keeping the public safe, and I hope today’s outcome helps them both continue to move on and recover from this traumatic incident.”
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Blatchly added: “The level of violence involved in this offence is shocking and I welcome this sentence as a demonstration that attacks on police officers are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“While our officers place themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis to protect our communities and prevent and detect crime, no-one should come to work expecting to be assaulted.
“The impact of an officer assault is not just felt by the individual, but by the police family and society as well. If an officer is off work as a result of being injured, it has a knock-on impact for their team and the force as a whole, and can affect the provision of the frontline policing which helps us fight crime and protect people.”
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