Axeman jailed for police attack

Sheikh had been arrested for threatening officers

A police-hating teenager who chased a community support officer (PCSO) down a busy street wielding an axe has been jailed for four years.

Mohammed Sheikh, 18, from Islington, north London, chased Charlie Moxom, 21, down the High Road in Wood Green, north London, in March.

Sheikh then smashed the axe into the windscreen of a police car while Pc Sam Linger, 25, was seated inside.

He admitted two charges of attempting to wound at the Old Bailey.

Sheikh also pleaded guilty to a third count of assaulting another PCSO, Neil White, causing criminal damage to the police car and possessing the axe as an offensive weapon.

Sentencing Sheikh, Judge Ann Goddard said: "You do not like PCSOs and police officers and cannot control yourself."

Football training

The court heard Mr Moxom and Mr White were waiting for police back-up after they detained two suspected shoplifters when Sheikh appeared with the axe and attacked them.

Mr Moxon, a former Colchester United footballer, was chased in full view of shoppers in the busy area.

Sheikh returned from the chase and plunged the axe into the police car's windscreen with such force that it became embedded in it and he was unable to pull it out.

Mr Moxon said: "I was able to run fast because I used to be a central midfielder with Colchester United football club. Nothing has happened to me like this before."

When asked about his reason for hating uniformed officers, Sheikh said: "I don't talk to them."

Sheikh had earlier been arrested for threatening to slit a PCSO's throat, and in a separate incident for knife possession.

He had also been cautioned for making other gestures and threats to officers.