Man who set police officer on fire warned by judge he faces long jail term

Defendant admits causing grievous bodily harm

Police in Newquay investigating the case ( SWNS)

A man who set a police officer on fire has been warned by a judge he will face a long prison sentence.

Blagovest Hadjigueorguiev, 30, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Pc Darral Mares, who suffered serious burns to his arms and legs and had to be airlifted to hospital.

The 51-year-old officer and a colleague were called to a home in Newquay, Cornwall, last month following reports of a man behaving aggressively as bailiffs were carrying out an eviction on private land.

Bodycam footage played to Truro Crown Court showed the officers speaking to Hadjigueorguiev, who was holding a bottle.

The defendant asked one of the officers where they were from, whether they were Cornish and why they had Tasers.

When the officer replied that they had Tasers to protect themselves, Hadjigueorguiev said he had the bottle for his protection.

A short time later, flames were seen on the footage and screaming could be heard. The camera then showed an officer's burnt hand and melted blue glove.

Hadjigueorguiev admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Pc Mares's colleague, Pc Alan Lenton, who was uninjured.

Judge Robert Linford adjourned the case until 6 November for reports and statements from the officers to be prepared, telling Hadjigueorguiev: "It is only being done for that purpose, to have an updated set of statements regarding the effects that this attack has had on the two police officers.

"You will receive an extremely lengthy prison sentence for this attack. You are remanded in custody until that date."

Pc Mares, a former Army soldier, is understood to be recovering at home with his family.

Additional reporting by PA