Chief constable arrested teen armed with knife

A teenager who brought a "Rambo"-style knife on to a football pitch following a fight at a match was arrested by an off-duty officer - the current chief constable of Leicestershire Police.

Temporary Chief Constable David Sandall, who had been nearby, gave chase and detained the teenager - who pulled the knife in Burbage on 22 March after a 17-year-old player was approached by a player from the opposition team and slapped across the face.

On Monday at Leicester Youth Court, two 17-year-olds were sentenced for their part in the incident.

Speaking following the hearing, Sandall said it had been "a traumatic incident" that "could have had far worse consequences".

Towards the end of the football match, police said a 17-year-old player was approached by an opponent and slapped. He sustained a cut lip and swelling to his face.

Another teenager then came on to the pitch and pulled out the knife, which he swung towards the victim.

Sandall ran across the pitch, police said, identifying himself as a police officer and shouting to drop the knife, giving chase as the suspect ran away with the "very large knife".

He continued to follow the suspect alongside members of the public including his father, a retired police officer, while calling the incident in to the control room.

Sandall eventually arrested the suspect, who had dropped the knife nearby but was found with a further smaller knife.

Following an investigation, one of the youths - who cannot be named due to his age - pleaded guilty to threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a public place, while a second - who also cannot be named due to his age - pleaded guilty to common assault by beating.

The teen who had the knives was sentenced to a 12-month youth referral order and handed a 12-month restraining order.

He was also issued with a deprivation order for the knife and ordered to pay costs of £60 to the Crown Prosecution Service, and a surcharge of £26.

The second defendant will be the subject of a restraining order for 12 months, a youth referral order for four months, and pay compensation of £25.

Sandall thanked the members of the public who assisted on the day, and said: "Luckily no-one was more seriously injured. This was a traumatic incident for the victim and everyone who witnessed what happened, many were children.

"There is no place for knives on our streets, the defendant chose to carry a knife that day and he had no qualms about using it to cause harm and threaten the victim.

"My hope now is that they can get the support and intervention they need."

In May 2022, Sandall became deputy chief constable, taking the lead on professional standards, corporate services, performance, risk as well as information management, transformation and financial sustainability.

In April last year, he began his current role as the temporary chief constable.

Investigating officer Det Con Joe Elliott added: "This was a serious offence in a public place, which didn't need to happen. A previous falling out is no excuse to carry a knife. If you carry such a weapon, you have the intention to use it."

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