REECE ARMSTRONG SENTENCED IN KENT AFTER ZOMBIE KNIFE ATTACK ON POLICE DOG

Reece Armstrong, born on 4 February 1996, of no fixed residence but originally from Guildford with connections to Stanwell, Camberley, and Folkestone, was convicted in 2022 for a violent assault involving a police dog. During an incident in Folkestone, Armstrong lunged at the police dog with a zombie knife.

He also threatened a police officer, stating, “I’m going to kill your dog,” when responding to a disturbance. After swinging the blade and hitting PD Blue’s collar, Armstrong fled the scene but was later tracked down in Folkestone by armed officers using firearms patrols. He attempted to escape again but was apprehended with assistance from a police drone and taken into custody.

The incident, deemed by authorities as an example of “utterly abhorrent behaviour,” began on the afternoon of March 23, 2022. At approximately 4:20 pm, police officers responded to reports of a confrontation between two men in Endrook Valley. An officer, accompanied by PD Blue, approached Armstrong initially without incident. However, his mood quickly escalated when he produced a large zombie knife from his hoodie, becoming aggressive and threatening to kill the police dog.

Fearing for their safety, the officer shouted commands for Armstrong to stop and step back. Despite this, Armstrong ignored instructions and swung the knife at Blue, striking the dog’s collar. He then fled the scene, but Blue was unharmed.

A police drone was used five days later to track Armstrong’s movements across town, leading to his re-arrest. During a search following his capture, officers recovered the zombie knife used in the attack. After police interviews and being charged with related offences, Armstrong was immediately recalled to prison for breaching his licence conditions on a previous conviction.

On 7 July 2022, he was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court to two years in custody. Investigating officer PC Sophia Lateu described the incident, saying, “Armstrong’s behaviour was utterly abhorrent; PD Blue and his handler were extremely lucky to be able to walk away from this incident unharmed. Every day our officers are required to attend unpredictable, challenging and sometimes volatile situations. However, like any other job, officers should be able to perform their roles without being the subject of such disgusting and potentially dangerous actions. Any assaults on police officers, staff or our police dogs are completely unacceptable, and we will not hesitate to prosecute those who put their safety and the safety of other emergency workers at risk in this way.”