A man deliberately tried to infect a police officer with Hepatitis C by forcing his bleeding hand into the officer’s mouth, a court has heard. Shea Holleywell, the defendant, made the officer taste his blood, leading to three months of worry and repeated tests for potential infection. The judge at Swansea Crown Court sentenced Holleywell to five years and three months in prison, condemning his “disgusting” actions and significant impact on the victim.
The incident occurred when police responded to a disturbance in Aberystwyth town centre. Holleywell, who was bleeding from a wound, behaved agitatedly towards the officers. During a struggle, he forced his bloodied hand into the officer’s mouth, causing distress and uncertainty for the officer, whose partner was heavily pregnant at the time. The officer dreaded not being able to kiss his newborn baby due to the risk of infection.
Holleywell, with previous assaults on police officers, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, assaulting an emergency worker, and battery. His defence mentioned his mental health struggles and homelessness leading to substance abuse. Despite his remorse, the judge emphasised the severity of his actions, resulting in a significant prison sentence.
The court revealed the emotional turmoil the officer faced during the uncertainty of potential infection and the impacts on his personal life. After three months of tests, he received the all-clear but lived with the trauma of the incident. Holleywell’s reckless behaviour highlighted the dangers faced by frontline workers and the consequences of such deliberate actions.
The judge’s stern sentencing reflected the severity of the crime and the need to protect public service workers from harm. Holleywell’s actions serve as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those serving to protect the community, calling for respect and accountability towards law enforcement officers.