Dog handler tracks down attacker despite suffering horrific wound

An officer who was brutally attacked in the line of duty has described how he managed to track down the suspect despite sustaining serious injuries.

Dog handler PC Chris Duffy was left with a seven-inch wound across the back of his head exposing his skull when he was attacked from behind with a weapon.

Despite falling to the ground, he still managed to get to his feet and track down the man responsible who has now pleaded guilty to the offence in court.

Police attended Bullock Close in Mansfield Woodhouse, at around 1.15am on Saturday 11 March 2023 after reports a landlady was being threatened by a group of men who had turned up at her pub despite being barred.

Mason Perkins, aged 24, had threatened to burn the pub down before being dragged away from the scene by some of the other men.

Officers searched the area and police dog Reno tracked one of the men who was found hiding behind a car in a driveway off Bullock Close.

As PC Duffy was arresting this man, Perkins appeared and asked the officer if he could get by before delivering the cowardly attack from behind with an unknown object.

He fell to the floor and pressed the emergency button on his radio.

Perkins then continued his ferocious attack, punching and kicking the officer numerous times while he lay on the ground.

Perkins fled the scene but was pursued by officers including PC Duffy after he had received initial medical treatment.

He was arrested in Lime Tree Avenue. When officers searched him, they found a large amount of cannabis, cash, and mobile phones.

Perkins, of Moor Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday 5 September to Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) with Intent, supplying Class B drugs and offering to supply Class A drugs.  He will be sentenced on December 8.

Describing the ordeal, PC Duffy, who has been in policing for 15 years, said:

“While I was detaining one man, I just remember feeling an horrendous blow to the back of my head, but I did not know what had hit me or what the injuries were.

“It was a sneaky and cowardly attack from behind and it was important that he did not get away. In the end, we chased him down, we caught him, and he lost.

“I would like to thank my colleagues for all their support. The wound was around seven inches wide, exposing my skull and meant I was off duty for a month.

“The back of my head still hurts from the attack, but I am back on duty doing the job I love.”

Chief Constable Kate Meynell said:

“This officer’s bravery stands in stark contrast to the deplorable and cowardly actions of Mason Perkins.

“He attacked an officer from behind with a weapon before punching and kicking him repeatedly, leaving the officer with extremely nasty injuries which could have proved to be even more serious.

“Thankfully, the officer is recovering well and returned to his duties where he continues to do a brilliant job keeping people safe.

“Only months after the brutal attack PC Duffy represented Nottinghamshire Police at the National Police Dog Trials – testament to how highly regarded he is within the Force.  

“Other officers at the scene in Mansfield Woodhouse that night did a highly professional job to support their injured colleague and ensure two suspects were quickly arrested.

“I would also like to thank the team of detectives who carried out an exemplary investigation, quickly charging Perkins and building a strong case which has seen him put before the courts.

“Violence aimed at anyone, including our officers, will never be tolerated in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and we will always ensure those who commit such horrendous attacks are brought to justice.”