Teacher jailed after punch knocks Westminster Council officer unconscious

A teacher who punched a Westminster Council Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) so hard that he was knocked unconscious has been jailed for four months after he admitted causing actual bodily harm.

The 51-year-old was giving directions to a motorist in Charing Cross Road on July 18, when he was approached by Patrick Jardine, who asked if he could park on a double yellow line while he went into a shop.

He told Jardine, 39, of Woodside Road, Plaistow, that he would receive a ticket if he did.

He continued to give directions but, Southwark Crown Court heard, Jardine came at the man from behind and punched him twice in the face leaving him unconscious.

 The victim's nose was broken as a result of the attack and he also suffered cuts and bruises.

He was taken to Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital, but was released later the same day and has returned to work.

The other motorist saw the incident and flagged down a passing police car, and officers arrested Jardine at the scene. Judge Mrs Recorder Deborah Champion told Jardine: "This was a public servant simply carrying out his job and I would be failing if I did not impose an immediate custodial sentence."

Councillor Danny Chalkley, cabinet member for Environment and Transport at Westminster Council, said: "Our CEOs and the public have a right to walk Westminster's streets in safety.

"This foul behaviour cannot be tolerated and Westminster will support any action to crack down hard on men like Patrick Jardine.

"Our staff must be sure that we will do our utmost to protect them, and if the worst does happen, that we will do everything we can to ensure criminals who blight their working lives are brought to justice."

Tim Cowen of NCP Services, said: "We have noticed the courts getting tougher on the minority of people who think it is acceptable to assault Civil Enforcement Officers. It is not, and we hope this sentence sends out the message that it will not be tolerated."