He met the police officers sprayed with ammonia in Mitcham for the bravery award

A pair of Met police officers who returned to work the day after being sprayed in the face with ammonia have been nominated for the Police Bravery Awards.

PC Samuel Goard and PC George Garner were sprayed with ammonia and threatened with a gun by James Boyle in Mitcham.

But despite this, they returned to work the next day and helped convict Boyle, which led to a 16-year prison sentence.

Police were called to reports of people acting suspiciously around vehicles parked on Commonside East, Mitcham, just after midnight on 17 June 2022.

One of the officers, PC Samuel Goard, approached Boyle and tried to speak to him – asking him to take his hands out of his pockets.

The 22-year-old then produced a bottle and sprayed the officer in the face with ammonia before walking towards him.

Despite only being able to see out of one eye, the officer used his “PAVA” spray, which caused the suspect to turn and run.

PC Goard and his colleague, PC George Garner, chased Boyle on foot.

Boyle then pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at the officers — without firing — before running away.

An investigation was launched and CCTV led them to identify their suspect as James Boyle.

He was found and arrested on Friday, June 24, 2022.

Upon arrest, a knife and an ax were found in his rucksack, along with a bottle of drink containing ammonia.

During a search of his home address, a gray tracksuit top was found which was identical to the one worn by Boyle in the video footage worn by the body of officers.

The investigation found that the firearm used by Boyle to threaten the officers was fired before police arrived and live rounds of ammunition were recovered.

The ammunition and the bottle containing the liquid both provided Boyle with forensic matches.

James Boyle (Image: Police Met)

PC Goard said in his victim impact statement: “At the time of the incident I was in complete fear for my life. I didn’t know what the man sprayed me with. Thoughts of acid, ammonia or any liquid that could have caused irreversible damage to my eyes, vision or permanent facial disfigurement overwhelmed me.

“My thoughts turned to my son at home, will he grow up only knowing me as having a disfigured face, will he recognize me when I go home?”

PC Garner said in his impact statement: “When he (Boyle) pulled the gun on me I felt helpless and had to let him run. I was left with the same recurring thought – if it was so easy to point a gun at a police officer, what would it do to a member of the public?

“I went back to work the day after the incident. I love my job and I didn’t want what happened to affect me or make me afraid, but it’s a terrifying reminder that the most routine call could end up being something that could change my life or that of my loved ones forever.”

DCI Rebecca Woodsford, added: “Tackling violent crime is one of our top priorities and that includes those who attack our staff. Abuse of emergency workers is never acceptable and we will always deal strongly with offenses of this nature.”