Sidcup Attack: Met Police Officers Honored for Bravery After Violent Assault
A team of Metropolitan Police officers has been formally commended for their extraordinary courage and teamwork during a harrowing domestic violence call in Sidcup that turned violently dangerous. The incident, which occurred on June 30 last year, resulted in two officers being brutally assaulted and knocked unconscious by an aggressive suspect.
Violent Confrontation During Domestic Call
PC Adrienne Parmenter and a female colleague were responding to reports of a man assaulting his mother at a residential address in Sidcup. After assisting the victim with retrieving her belongings from the flat, the enraged suspect unexpectedly returned to the scene. PC Parmenter described the immediate escalation: "He was immediately aggressive, he definitely didn't like police officers in his house. He was shouting at us, telling us to get out of his house, calling us all of the names under the sun."
Despite having her PAVA spray ready, PC Parmenter hesitated to use it, fearing the muscular suspect might retaliate against her and her colleague or that the spray could affect them instead. She stepped back to radio for additional support before re-entering the room with her colleague, who prepared handcuffs. "I tried to get one of his arms behind his back, and that's the last thing I remember," PC Parmenter recalled.
Brutal Assault and Life-Saving Response
The attacker knocked PC Parmenter unconscious and then kicked her in the face while she lay defenseless on the ground. He also stamped on her colleague's head after rendering her unconscious, causing significant injuries to both officers.
When PC Benjamin Gregory and PC Jake Lodge arrived at what they described as a "disturbing" scene, they found their colleagues covered in blood. They quickly apprehended the dangerous suspect, getting him to the floor and securing him with handcuffs. PC Lodge maintained control by kneeling on top of the suspect to prevent escape, while PC Gregory administered critical first aid to the injured officers.
PC Gregory opened the airway of the unconscious and unresponsive female officer, an action that undoubtedly saved her life. Reflecting on the traumatic experience, he said: "I've gone to lots of jobs in the eight years I've been on the response team and I've seen lots of different stuff, but nothing can quite prepare you for turning up and seeing two people that you know really well in a really bad state, with some really serious injuries. It knocked me for six."
Severe Injuries and Ongoing Recovery
PC Parmenter sustained severe injuries including a deep laceration above her lip requiring stitches, a large forehead lump, two black eyes, facial bruising, and a torn rotator cuff in her left shoulder. She continues to experience limited shoulder mobility and is undergoing physiotherapy. Her colleague suffered multiple serious injuries requiring an eight-day stay in a major trauma ward before being discharged.
Both officers are experiencing trauma-related amnesia with limited memory of the assault. PC Parmenter expressed profound gratitude for her colleagues' intervention: "If it wasn't for Ben and Jake, I genuinely don't think that myself and my colleague would be alive."
Legal Consequences and Recognition
The perpetrator pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm, with a judge describing the assault as one of the "most harrowing" attacks against police officers he had ever witnessed. He received a 12-year sentence at Woolwich Crown Court on September 26, 2025, comprising eight years in custody followed by four years on license.
PC Parmenter, who recently returned to duty after an eight-month recovery period, stated: "I don't want to let him stop me living my life. I'm happy to be back with my amazing colleagues, and I'm excited to get back out there again and do my job."
All four officers involved—PC Parmenter, her female colleague, PC Gregory, and PC Lodge—along with their Sergeant Karen Cundy, have now been awarded London Police Bravery Awards for their exceptional actions. They will attend a formal ceremony next week, with potential consideration for National Police Federation Bravery Awards in July if selected as local winners.
Paula Dodds, chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, praised the team: "Adrienne and her colleague displayed outstanding bravery and selfless dedication during this brutal attack. Despite sustaining serious injuries, both officers tried to protect one another, showing exceptional teamwork under pressure. Benjamin and Jake demonstrated impressive quick thinking, courage and composure to detain the suspect and save their colleagues' lives."
She added special recognition for Sergeant Cundy: "Karen supported the whole team on the day and through the difficult months that followed, prioritising their wellbeing and making a real difference to them and their families. We are so proud of them all."
