Criticism after man who beat up PC released early

The early release from prison of a man who, with his father, viciously beat a police officer, has been criticised by a police and crime commissioner (PCC) as a "complete failure of justice".

Alex Quinn was jailed in February for three years and 10 months for his part in the assault on PC Ryan Davis in 2024 in Hereford city centre, which left the officer with several broken bones.

The 20-year-old was released last month under the Home Detention Curfew Scheme, the Ministry of Justice confirmed.

John Campion, West Mercia's PCC, called the decision "utterly appalling" while the police federation called for a review of the case.

A Ministry of Justice (MoJ) spokesman said those released under the curfew system faced "strict licence conditions and must be tagged".

"Those who break the rules can be returned to prison," they added.

PC Davis was working in the city centre as part of a plainclothes operation in April 2024, when he saw father and son Richard and Alex Quinn, trying to beat up another man.

After he tried to break it up they turned on him, in an attack which left the officer with a broken leg, a broken ankle, damage to his eyesight and multiple other fractures.

He has been unable to return to front-line duties due his injuries. In February, he told the BBC he had "struggled with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) ever since".

Responding to news of the release, Campion said: "It is utterly appalling that Alex Quinn has been released after subjecting PC Ryan Davis to a violent assault.

"This outcome undermines the very principles our justice system is meant to uphold."

Alex Quinn, of Bridge Street in Hereford, pleaded guilty to assault causing grievous bodily harm on Davis and assault by beating on a member of the public, at an earlier hearing ahead of February's sentencing.

His father, Richard Quinn, 49, of the same address, was sentenced to four years and three months for the assault causing grievous bodily harm on Davis and for the assault by beating on the member of the public.

The MoJ said the son was released early because he spent time on tagged bail directed by the courts, which resulted in his dates being brought forward.

Under the home detention scheme, offenders are monitored by an electronic tag and must normally stay at home between the hours of 19:00 and 07:00

Campion added: "Our overcrowded prisons are yet another warning of a system in crisis - one weakened by years of inaction from the previous government and now a failure to act from the current government.

"I will continue to speak out against decisions like this because they send the wrong message to offenders, and represent a deeply painful injustice to victims and to all those who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe."

The Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, also criticised the early release decision, saying they wanted to see the case reviewed.

Brian Booth, their deputy national chair, said: "This case highlights a growing gap between sentences announced in court and the reality victims face.

"Police officers face violence daily - an assault every 10 minutes - and many now question whether the system truly protects them when serious harm is done.

"We are calling for a full review of this case, including the decisions around Quinn's release."

The MoJ were asked for a direct response to the federation's demand for a review.

Booth also told the BBC he was concerned that Richard Quinn could use the same process to get released from jail early.

West Mercia Police said they did not want to comment on the release.

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