Police Federation to appeal 'unduly lenient' sentence of Tekle LennoxThe sentence of a hit-and-run driver who mowed down a Coventry police officer has been branded "shocking" by the Police Federation.
Tekle Lennox, 37, was jailed for seven years today (March 3) after admitting a charge of causing grievous bodily harm to PC Christopher Burnham who was struck by Lennox's car as he tried to stop the wanted man.
PC Burnham was in hospital for a number of weeks, including a week spent in an induced coma, as he was treated for numerous serious injuries including a bleed on the brain.
Following Lennox's sentencing today (March 3) at Warwick Crown Court, the chairman of West Midlands Police Federation has described the sentence as "shocking in its leniency, but sadly not surprising".
Jon Nott said that Lennox's actions "could easily have killed" father-of-one PC Burnham and the Federation will be looking to appeal "this unduly lenient sentence".
The police federation chairman also criticised Lennox for only entering a guilty plea this week and "prolonging the trauma faced by Chris and his family".
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had originally brought a charge of attempted murder against Lennox, which he had denied, and it was revealed at a pre-trial review in February that the CPS would no longer be facing that charge.
And Lennox's barrister, Bernard Tetlow QC, told the court at the sentencing hearing that Lennox had entered his guilty plea at the earliest opportunity to the GBH charge as he had been unable to speak with Lennox at an earlier time.