Police stop on A40 near Haverfordwest ended in violent struggle and knife discovery

A MAN who sprayed an unidentified red substance at a police officer — and appeared unaffected by repeated Taser deployments — has been sentenced following a dramatic arrest near Haverfordwest.

Mark Logan, 41, was stopped by police on Friday (Nov 1) after officers saw him driving an Audi onto the A40 from Haverfordwest. PC Dylan Davies activated his blue lights after checks showed the vehicle was registered in a woman’s name, bringing the car to a stop close to the Toyota garage.

What followed, the court heard, left the officer fearing for his safety.

In a victim impact statement read to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, PC Davies said he was sprayed several times with a red substance and did not know what it was or what harm it could cause.

“I had no idea what it was nor what harm it would do to me,” he said.

“After being a police officer for four years, this was the first time I have ever had to request assistance.”

The court heard Logan got out of the car and immediately appeared wide-eyed and unsteady on his feet. As PC Davies attempted to arrest him, Logan struck the officer’s hands, preventing him from taking hold.

“He became more aggressive and I was fearful he was going to assault me due to his erratic behaviour,” PC Davies said.

Logan then walked towards the officer and sprayed him, with PC Davies saying he felt the substance land on his body and believed Logan intended to harm him.

“He remained incredibly hostile and I didn’t know what other weapons he had on him,” he added.

Taser had ‘no effect’

PC Davies drew his Taser and repeatedly told Logan to get on the ground, but Logan ran towards the Toyota garage. The officer said he “red-dotted” Logan and continued to issue commands, but he ignored them.

When Logan then turned and walked back towards the officer, PC Davies deployed his Taser. However, he told the court it appeared to have no effect.

“But he appeared totally unbothered and began pulling at the Taser wires,” he said.

“I re-engaged it and Tasered him again, instructing him to lie face-down on the ground, but again he refused. The Taser had no effect on him whatsoever.”

A further attempt to restrain Logan using physical contact also failed, and additional officers were called to assist. They succeeded in bringing him to the ground and handcuffing him.

Knife found in jacket pocket

Logan later confirmed during a police interview that he had a knife on him. A search found a black locking knife in his jacket pocket, with a blade measuring 10cm.

PC Davies suffered facial irritation from the spray and “overwhelming” pain to his arm as a result of the incident.

Logan, of Glandwr House, Lower Cwmtwrch, Swansea, pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place and assaulting an emergency worker by beating.

He was represented by solicitor Alaw Harries, who told the court Logan was attempting to deal with a number of mental health issues, including paranoia, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and psychotic tendencies.

“This man has become a shadow of his former self as a result of his mental health needs,” she said.

“He fully accepts that his behaviour was unacceptable, and has already taken significant and pro-active steps to address his mental health. He is now desperate to engage with the mental health services to help him address these issues.”

Ms Harries said the red spray used by Logan was a self-defence device which can be legally purchased online, including via Amazon.

Sentence and orders

Magistrates retired for more than an hour before returning to pass sentence.

Logan was given a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He must observe a daily curfew between 7:00pm and 7:00am and complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was ordered to pay £250 compensation to PC Dylan Davies, along with a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs. A destruction order was imposed on the knife.