Cleveland Police officer spared prison after court hears he has lost 'everything'

A Cleveland police officer found guilty of assault has avoided jail after a court was told he has already lost “everything”.

Kaljit Sander, who assaulted his former partner in January, was handed a 16-week jail term, suspended for 18 months, by district judge Mr Stephen Earl in North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court today.

Sander, who is due to be dismissed from Cleveland Police after being convicted following a two day trial in Newcastle Magistrates’ Court last month, avoided jail because of his previous good character and a future without a career.

The police officer, who had no previous convictions, assaulted his ex-partner, a 26-year-old woman from County Durham, in January.

Mr Earl said: “It’s fair to say I will take into account you are a serving police officer and have a lot to lose and indeed has lost everything.

“This crosses the custody threshold and I would normally impose a custodial sentence but for a number of facts.

“He will lose his employment as a result of the sentence.”

The 32-year-old of Front Street, Tudhoe Colliery, was also handed a two year restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim.

A Cleveland officer for several years, in 2010 Sander’s evidence helped secure the conviction of a Middlesbrough man of racially aggravated common assault.

However, he faces a hearing with Cleveland’s professional standards panel which will see him dismissed from the force, though it is understood he is considering appealing the conviction.

Mr Earl described the assault, which left her a cut lip and swelling, as “not the worst I have seen” but said the lasting impact of the incident had been ‘emotional’ trauma.

Mr Richard Hermann, defending, said: “We’ve already identified by this conviction he will lose everything.”

Sander, who earned more than £1,600 a month in his role, was ordered to pay £500 court costs, £250 compensation and and £80 victim surcharge.

He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and given a two year restraining order.

Mr Earl told Sander if he breaks the order, he could be handed a five year prison sentence.

Speaking after the court hearing, the victim’s father said: “I’m happy with the sentence.

“If he stays away from my daughter then I am happy.

“She wants to get on with her life.”

After Sander’s conviction, Cleveland Police confirmed he was not currently at work and an internal disciplinary inquiry was ongoing.