Man jailed for serious assault in Bognor Regis

A quick-thinking police officer hitched a ride in a street cleaner to catch a violent offender.

Peter Lock has been jailed after he assaulted a woman in Bognor Regis High Street on Sunday, 26 February 2023.

He made off from the scene on his bike but was spotted by council workers who pointed him out to responding officers.

The officer initially pursued on foot, but then used his initiative to flag down a street cleaning vehicle to catch up with the defendant.

He was swiftly detained and arrested. 

In the meantime, the 48-year-old victim was taken to hospital, where she was treated for multiple hand and facial injuries.

Peter Lock, 51, of Linden Road, Bognor Regis, appeared at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday, 7 May 2025. He pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm and was sentenced to 18 months in custody.

Chief Inspector William Keating-Jones said: “Pursuing suspects requires rapid decisions and sometimes creative ideas. We are grateful to the council worker for their help in capturing this violent criminal.”