Newly released disturbing video captures the moment a taxi driver hurled scalding hot oil at a police officer.
Mohammed Sarfaraz, a 45-year-old resident of Gosforth, Newcastle, was sentenced to nine years in prison today for tossing a pan of hot cooking oil at multiple officers, injuring two of them, with one sustaining scars.
The incident took place on January 10 when a team of five officers approached Sarfaraz regarding a criminal allegation at a property where he began making verbal threats. He then barricaded himself in the garage and was eventually apprehended after being Tasered.
Sarfaraz faced charges of affray, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, and causing grievous bodily harm, resulting in a conviction following a trial.
One of the officers, PC Christopher Bain from Northumbria Police, suffered second and third-degree burns, leading to scarring on his face and chest.
During the confrontation, Sarfaraz was found holding a smoking frying pan in the kitchen by a female officer. Despite being instructed to put it down, he refused. Subsequently, PC Bain and another officer entered the room with Tasers drawn after being warned about the hot pan.
Judge Robert Adams, in his sentencing remarks, described how Sarfaraz swung the contents of the pan at the officers, causing burns to PC Bain. The judge emphasized that Sarfaraz’s actions were intentional and not accidental.
Following the incident, PC Bain had to take time off work, visit the burns unit frequently, and faced uncertainty about the need for skin grafts, affecting his sleep.
In a separate incident on May 28, 2024, Sarfaraz engaged in altercations with the police outside his wife’s residence in Kenton. Refusing to leave when instructed, he ended up assaulting an officer and was subsequently found guilty of multiple charges.
Despite maintaining his innocence in a lengthy statement to the judge, Sarfaraz was convicted of his violent actions. Detective Inspector Marc Lennox commended the officers for their bravery and professionalism during the harrowing incident.
Sarfaraz’s sentencing brings closure to the victims while he faces a considerable prison term for his aggressive behavior.