Man Jailed for Nearly Seven Years After Vicious Attack on Police Officers Near Gatwick Airport
A Crawley man, Mohammed Rasool, 44, has been sentenced to six years and ten months in prison for a brutal assault on two female police officers, during which he gouged their eyes, leaving them with significant and permanent injuries. The attack occurred in May 2025 when officers attempted to arrest Rasool after he failed to appear in court on robbery charges.
Shocking Details of the Assault
During the arrest attempt, Rasool became violently aggressive, targeting the officers in a sustained attack. One officer described feeling his fingers over her face, trying to locate her eye socket, while he also pulled their hair, bit them, and struck them with a mobile phone. Both officers suffered severe injuries, with one stating she feared losing her sight and experienced blood dripping down her face, unable to breathe during the ordeal.
Background of Road Rage Incidents
The arrest followed two prior violent road rage incidents involving Rasool near Gatwick Airport. On May 3, 2024, he racially abused and struck a taxi driver dropping off a passenger. Less than two months later, on June 28, 2024, he undertook another vehicle, braked sharply, and assaulted the driver through the window, stealing his mobile phone before fleeing the scene.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Rasool was charged with these offences but failed to appear at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on May 28, 2025, leading to a warrant for his arrest. On March 19, 2025, he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, robbery, and racially-aggravated common assault. Sussex Police Detective Chief Inspector Pauline Lane condemned the attacks, highlighting the risks officers face daily and expressing relief at the significant custodial sentence.
Impact on the Officers
One of the injured officers, with 28 years of service in Sussex Police, described the incident as the worst she had ever experienced, emphasizing the trauma and fear endured. She stressed that no one should face such violence while simply doing their job, underscoring the lasting psychological and physical effects of the attack.
