Watch police find huge kitchen knife in trousers of drug dealer who punched officer in Cambridge

A drug dealer who punched a police officer in the face in Cambridge because he smiled has been jailed.

Jacob Hall, of no fixed abode, was then searched by officers and found to have a large kitchen knife concealed in his trousers along with multiple wraps of heroin, cannabis and a mobile phone.

Hall was spotted in Jesus Green on 31 May by an officer who knew he was wanted by police for enquiries into outstanding crimes.

But when he attempted to arrest the 30-year-old, he was hit in the face. Hall claimed he struck him because the officer “smiled” at him.

The officer needed hospital treatment for a split lip, including stitches.

Body cam footage shows officers retrieving a large kitchen knife concealed in Hall’s trousers, where he also kept his drugs.

At Peterborough Crown Court on 30 June, Hall was sentenced to three years and six months in prison after previously pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm without intent, possession of a knife in a public place, possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession of cannabis and possession of class C drugs.

Det Con Joanna MacKenzie, who investigated, said: “This incident highlights the very real dangers our officers face every day. When our officers recognised Hall as being wanted and attempted to make an arrest, one was violently assaulted and it was later revealed he was carrying a knife.

“Thankfully the officer was not seriously injured but this could have ended very differently. No one should face violence simply for doing their job, especially those working to keep our communities safe. We hope this sends a clear message that assaults on police officers will not be tolerated.”