Officer tells of terrifying attack in Hornsea

A POLICE inspector who was attacked by a gang of thugs while off duty says it was the most "frightening" experience of his life.

Inspector Mike Dring, who has led the East Riding's roads policing team, was set upon by three youths as he went to aid his niece's friend when returning from a night out in Hornsea.

The 43-year-old said the incident has affected him "personally and professionally".

Insp Dring, who featured on BBC1's Traffic Cops documentary series, was strangled, beaten and pulled to the ground in the attack.

He even heard one of the three responsible shout "kill him".

Insp Dring said: "Although I recovered physically fairly quickly, mentally it was the most frightening experience in my life."

The attack happened after his niece and her friend had been threatened inside the Hungry Jack takeaway in Market Place, Hornsea, by the youths.

Insp Dring, who had not been out with her, saw her in distress and went to her aid.

He was then assaulted as he told the youths to leave them alone.

Insp Dring, who now leads Bridlington's community policing team, told the Mail: "I tried to calm down the situation and said I was an off duty policeman, and a group started punching me.

"There was no warning. I heard one of them shout 'kill him'. That is one thing that has stayed with me.

"I was just trying to cover my head with my hands."

James Forrest, 20, of Southgate, Hornsea, Kyle Naylor, 18, of The Crescent, Hornsea, and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also from Hornsea, pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court to the assault.

The incident happened after midnight on August 18 last year.

In the attack, Insp Dring was pulled to the ground, had an egg smashed on his head, and suffered cuts, scratches and bruising to his neck.

Naylor and Forrest pleaded guilty to affray on the basis there was no kicking and the other youth pleaded to battery.

They will be sentenced later this month.