By David Powell
Copyright dailypost
A police officer who had part of his ear bitten off as he tried to arrest a suspect has been honoured. PC James Marsden had been called a suspected domestic violence incident.
Kevin Jones, 40, later admitted unlawfully and maliciously wounding PC Marsden with intent to resist or prevent himself being apprehended last December. On January 14 a judge at Mold Crown Court jailed Jones, of Dwyran, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, for three years and four months.
Now PC Marsden has received an award at the national Police Bravery Awards 2025 for his efforts that night. He attended a ceremony in Downing Street in London with other award winners. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter – sent every Friday
On December 8, 2024, the North Wales PC and a colleague had responded to a report of a domestic assault in Dwyran. When PC Marsden attempted to arrest the male suspect, he resisted, as reported by the North Wales Police Federation.
In the struggle, the offender pinned down PC Marsden and bit off a piece of his ear. Another officer had to use force to pull the offender away from PC Marsden before subduing him and placing him in handcuffs.
Unaware of his injury, PC Marsden wanted to help his colleagues take the male to custody. But they then made him aware of the injury.
PC Marsden was taken to the hospital, where he was told the cartilage had suffered such damage that his ear would be permanently disfigured.
He was told he would need to take three to four weeks off work. His pregnant partner, Gemma, was distressed by the injury, and PC Marsden felt he had let down his colleagues as they would be without him over the busy Christmas period in a rural setting with a small number of officers working.
Lewis Davies, general secretary of North Wales Police Federation who accompanied PC Marsden and his partner to the prestigious awards in London, said: “The injury inflicted on PC James Marsden serves as a reminder of the dangers our officers face when they respond to calls to protect the public.
“PC Marsden showed courage and bravery to continue to subdue the offender despite his horrific injury. He will now have to live with the physical and unseen effects of the disgusting assault against him and the impact it has had on those closest to him.”
He added: “It’s right he has been nominated and recognised.” PC Marsden described the entire day of the awards as memorable.
He said: “It was an honour and a privilege to be with so many far braver than me colleagues that have done some amazing things, that are rightly recognised.
“It’s been a genuine privilege to be invited down to the bravery awards and be part of the ceremony. Myself and my partner have had a fantastic day, we’ve been to Downing Street today.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity which I’m very grateful for; it’s been a fantastic experience.”
The Voice reported that the winners of the Welsh regional award were South Wales Police officers. The overall winners were Merseyside Police Sergeant Gregory Gillespie, PC Luke Holden and PCSO Timothy Parry for their part in dealing with the Southport attacks.
