Officer injured after struggle in moving traffic in Birkenhead
A police constable on patrol in the Birkenhead area was left with a fractured shoulder and required surgery after a roadside struggle with a suspected drink-driver, a Crown Court heard.
The incident happened at about 8.45pm on 20 January last year when PC Gary Stoddart became suspicious of a white van being driven by 38-year-old Billy Rutter, of Mackenzie Road, Leasowe. The court was told the vehicle was in a "very poor condition" and that Rutter ran a red light as he turned into Balls Road East while the officer followed.
Prosecutors said the van then broke down immediately after negotiating the junction. PC Stoddart approached the driver's side, noticed the smell of alcohol and slurred speech, and told Rutter he would be required to take a roadside breath test inside the patrol car.
Rather than comply, Rutter allegedly pushed the officer, sparking a physical altercation in the middle of the road as other vehicles continued to pass. The officer was "thrown to the floor with some force" and the defendant landed on top of him before fleeing on foot, the court heard.
"Police officers do a difficult enough job. They are entitled to carry out their duties without being assaulted in this way."
The attack left PC Stoddart in "immediate great pain" to his right arm and shoulder. He was later diagnosed with a fractured right shoulder, forced to take around three months off work and subsequently underwent surgery in December 2025.
When Rutter's van was searched a craft knife was found stashed inside the driver's door. The defendant told officers he used the knife for work but had left it in the vehicle, the court heard.
Rutter was arrested the following day. At Liverpool Crown Court, the 38-year-old accepted responsibility and told the judge he "intends to walk away from this lifestyle", but was told he would be returned to custody. A judge commented that officers must be able to perform their duties without being assaulted.
Local impact and timeline
The case underlines risks faced by officers carrying out routine checks and the knock‑on effect on policing when a colleague is injured. PC Stoddart's months out of work will have had an operational impact on local patrols and resources.
- 8.45pm, 20 Jan – PC spots van and follows in Birkenhead area.
- Immediately after – Van runs red light into Balls Road East then breaks down.
- Confrontation – Officer smells alcohol, requests a breath test; a struggle ensues and officer is thrown to the ground.
- Aftermath – Officer suffers fractured right shoulder, three months off work, surgery in Dec 2025; defendant arrested next day.
| Person | Detail |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Billy Rutter, 38, of Mackenzie Road, Leasowe |
| Officer | PC Gary Stoddart – fractured right shoulder, three months off, surgery Dec 2025 |
| Location | Balls Road East area, Birkenhead |
The matter was heard at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday 12 August. The court heard Rutter had a history of offending, described in court reporting as a "serial offender". Exact details of the sentence were not given in the reporting but the defendant was returned to prison.
This episode is a stark reminder of how quickly routine policing encounters can turn violent and of the personal cost when officers are injured in the line of duty. Local residents and road users who witnessed the incident were left shaken by a scuffle that unfolded in moving traffic.
Police and court officials continue to deal with the legal consequences of the case, while colleagues of the injured officer and the wider Birkenhead community await any further updates from Merseyside Police or the Crown Prosecution Service.
