A HARLOW man has been given a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to stealing a police baton outside the Bell Hotel in Epping.

Kenneth Blissett, aged 34, of Longbanks, Harlow appeared for sentencing at Colchester magistrates court.

The charges were:

On July 17th 2025 at Epping without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, had with you in a public place, namely In the vicinity of Bell Inn, High Street Epping, an offensive weapon, namely a police baton.

On July 17th 2025 at Epping stole a police baton, belonging to a police constable.

Blissett was handed a suspended sentence. He was imprisoned for eight weeks but this has been suspended for twelve months.

The court report stated that the sentence was given as: “This was a protest and could have gone any other way and could have led to a disruption and leaving an officer in a vulnerable position”

However, it was suspended because: “They found there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, he has a business with employees and also a family to provide for and any imprisonment would seriously disrupt this.”

He was also fined £110.00