A violent shoplifter, who attacked police officers, snatching the firearm from one and aiming it at him in the process, has received a lengthy jail term.

Officers from Northumbria Police responded to a report from staff of a male shoplifting at the Metrocentre, Gateshead, on July 29, 2021.

The officers who attended found the alleged thief, David Noutch, who resisted arrest when confronted.

Read more: Emergency services called to Metrocentre incident

During the struggle as police attempted to detain him, Noutch managed to remove a Taser device from one of the officers and aimed it at him.

A colleague, assisted by three members of the public, managed to help subdue the defendant so that he was able to be arrested.

Both officers involved in the arrest suffered injuries in the incident but were able to carry on with their duties.

Appearing recently at Newcastle Crown Court, the 28-year-old defendant, of Tees Street, Chopwell, received a 41-month prison sentence after admitting theft, use of a firearm with intent to resist arrest and assaulting police officers.

Both officers involved in his arrest have now been commended for the bravery they showed, while a further three colleagues were commended for their work as part of the investigation, which led to the prosecution.

All three members of the Good Samaritans who intervened to assist the officers were given honours at last year’s National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Police and Public Bravery Awards.

Read more: Bobbies on the beat halve shopping mall crime

Inspector Alan Davison, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is a good result in court following a violent incident in which our officers’ safety was seriously put at risk.

“Noutch was determined to avoid arrest on the day of the offence and was desperate enough to grab an officer’s firearm in the process.

Read next:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here

“We hope the sentence handed out acts as a warning to any offenders who think that they can assault emergency workers without facing very serious consequences.”

Insp Davison added: “I’d also like to convey my thanks to the three members of the public who came to the assistance of our officers.

“While we would never ask anyone to put themselves at risk, we continue to see extraordinary acts from the communities we are privileged to be a part of and serve.”