A FORMER police officer has received a Chief Constable’s Commendation after detaining a teenager despite being bitten and punched.
It followed an incident when a motorbike crashed into a fence and shed in Black Haynes Road, Northfield, on August 20 last year.
The ex Warwickshire Police officer Simon Loveitt intervened and offered to help the teenager on the bike who was 15 at the time.
But he tried to make his escape when Mr Loveitt told him to wait for the police.
As the 58-year-old tried to stop him he was punched up to six times in the face and bitten on the chest by the boy.
But Mr Loveitt, who went on to work in security after his 1980s police career, did not flinch and detained him until police officers arrived.
The teenager was arrested and later charged with assault, driving other than in accordance with a licence and without third party insurance. He was later made subject of a referral order.
Mr Loveitt was previously married to Sharon Loveitt who served with West Midlands Police in the 1980s and has an award named in her honour for charity work. She sadly passed away from cancer in 1990 while a serving officer.
Det Sgtt Richard Forrester, from force CID, said: “Despite Simon being assaulted he was determined to do the right thing and managed to stop the teen from fleeing the scene. His actions went above and beyond what could be expected.”
Mr Loveitt received his award at the Tally Ho West Midlands Police training centre.
