[A] man who grabbed a child from her mother in the street whilst under the influence of drugs has today (23 Feb) been sentenced to two years in prison at Carlisle Crown Court.
Andrew Bell, 34 of Fisher Street, Workington, admitted charges of common assault, child abduction and a public order offence – all relating to an incident in Falcon Place, Workington on 23 January, 2018.
Bell was seen, under the influence of drugs, walking the street and calling out for help. He approached a car parked in Falcon Place, where a parent was putting her child into a child street.
Bell opened the door and was attempting to get into the car, alongside the young child, when the mother of a second child managed to pull him away.
Bell struck the woman to the face before grabbing hold of her child, aged five. The mother, who was not injured by the blow, described Bell grabbing her child in a headlock before dragging her four metres by her coat and backpack.
Mum and other adults attempted to get the child away but were kept at bay by Bell who was swinging his arms and fists towards those trying to help the girl.
The situation was resolved when Bell finally let go of the girl and was wrestled to the ground by a man who then held him in place until help arrived.
The incident was captured on a mobile phone video by an onlooker.
Bell was arrested at the scene. In his police interview, Bell told officers he had been at a friend’s home nearby when he had taken what he thought was cannabis but later learned was a cocktail of drugs.
He said he left the premises in search of help but couldn’t explain why he thought that attempting to get into a car besides a child or grabbing a little girl in the street was the best method to do so.
Bell blamed the drugs, saying it was “all a blank” and that he was having an “out of body experience” but also told officers he remembered hitting the mother of the girl.
He said he felt “disgusted” and insisted he would “never hurt a kid”. He concluded the interview by apologising “for what I have done”.
Detective Sergeant Jim Rooney of Workington CID said: “Bell’s actions that day caused terror for a mother, her little girl and all those who witnessed what he had done, including those who came to the mother and daughter’s aid.
“Whilst Bell blames the drugs, it was his decision to take them and he remains responsible for his actions. His experience highlights the fact that anyone who takes illegal substances has no way of knowing for sure what they contain, in what concentration or what impact they will have on an individual.
“I would like to thank those who gave evidence in this case and those who helped the mother and child, including the man who restrained Bell and the person who filmed the incident, which provided officers with valuable evidence which helped to convict Bell.
“Their efforts have ensured that Bell has been brought to account for his actions and that the incident concluded without anyone suffering injury.”
