Met Police fury after man avoids jail for throwing boiling water in officer’s face in racial attack

The Met Police has called into question a court’s decision to let a man who threw scalding hot water over a police officer’s face during a racist attack avoid jail.

Astrit Mala, 47, assaulted two police officers on July 1 this year as they were helping council staff evict him from his property in Southall, West London.

Upon entering the flat, Mala chucked two cups of tea at the officers faces before hurling boiling water from a kettle at one of the officers, leaving him with horrific facial burns.

As he carried out the attack he yelled abuse at the officers, including racist slurs and allegedly threatened to kill them.

Astrit Mala threw scalding water at police officers as they helped council staff who were evicting him from his home. The water left one of the officers (pictured) with horrific facial burns

After publishing the sentencing outcome on Twitter today, there was a public outcry, leading the Met Police to get in touch with the Crown Prosecution Service ‘to fully understand the factors that led to this sentencing decision’

Mala was then arrested inside the home on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, making threats to kill and a racially aggravated public order offence.

Earlier this month at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on December 7, he pleaded guilty to two counts of assault on an emergency worker and a racially aggravated public order offence.

He was sentenced to 26 weeks’ imprisonment – suspended for two years. He was then ordered to pay £500 in compensation.

The sentence also included a rehabilitation activity requirement up to a maximum of 40 days. 

Earlier this month at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on December 7, Mala pleaded guilty to two counts of assault on an emergency worker and a racially aggravated public order offence. Pictured: Facial burns on one of the officers following the vile attack

This morning local police officers in Lady Margaret, Ealing, published the outcome of Mala’s sentencing. This suspended sentence led to a public outcry with people calling it ‘pathetic’ and a ‘shambles’

People reacting to the sentencing on Twitter called for better protection of emergency workers

The court outcome was published this morning by the local policing team in Lady Margaret, Ealing, sparking fury among those online, with many calling for a tougher sentence.

One said: ‘Pathetic and hardly a deterrent to others.’

Another added: ‘A racially aggravated attack on a serving police officer. They wonder why people aren’t joining. This is one of the factors. Start protecting the protectors properly.

‘No one comes to work to get assaulted or leave with lifelong scarring.’

Another said the sentencing was a ‘shambles’.

Author Phil Cleary replied to the statement: ‘This should be appealed. Where is the deterrence?’ 

One officer added: ‘A suspended sentence for that? Shocking work from the courts once again. Hoping your officers recover quickly.’ 

The public outcry on Twitter led the Met Police to contact the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to ‘fully understand the factors that led to sentencing’.

People on Twitter were quick to react to the sentencing with many saying it had ‘no deterrent for others’ 

In an updated statement the Met Police said: ‘All too often officers suffer assaults, threats and abuse on duty. There are an average of 135 physical assaults against Met officers and staff every week. Every assault is shocking and can have devastating consequences for the victim. These offences must be taken seriously.

‘Sentencing is a matter for the courts and is out of the hands of officers. However we recognise the strong views that have been shared in relation to the decision to suspend the sentence in this case.

‘In reaching their decisions, the courts take into account a number of factors including but not limited to any previous criminal history, the timing of any guilty pleas and information put forward by agencies including social services and probation.

‘In this case consideration was also given to medical reports that were ordered by the court prior to sentencing to provide information on the defendant’s mental health.

‘We are in touch with the Crown Prosecution Service to fully understand the factors that led to this sentencing decision and to consider what, if any, further representations may need to be made.’

MailOnline has contacted CPS for a statement.