Andre Williams, STAR Writer

A woman police corporal is lucky to be alive after a gruelling encounter with a mentally ill person who attempted to sexually assault her.

This resulted in her male colleague running to her aid while also having to defend himself, after both their lives apparently became threatened.

THE STAR understands that on Saturday evening, residents summoned the police to an area in Temple Hall, St Andrew, community where a person of unsound mind was spotted in bushes and was deemed up to no good.

The residents of a section of the community known as 'Breadfruit' had been complaining that the mentally ill person was using the area as a bathroom, defecating and urinating in public causing an unbearable odour.

Reports are that when the police arrived, the woman corporal who was accompanied by the male colleague, first exited the police service vehicle and approached the man.

THE STAR gathered she got the shock of her life.

An alleged eyewitness told our news team, "The woman first move to him ... to look what the madman a do and him grab har and say mek mi kiss yuh ... gi mi a kiss nuh. Dem start to rassle (wrestle) and drop pan di ground. When the policeman see wah gwan him run around the vehicle and then tek out a baton and start beat the man fi release the woman ... One big tussle ... dem couldn't really manage di madman cause him big."

THE STAR was told that the person of unsound mind was very bulky and was determined to overpower the officers.

Another resident told THE STAR, "Di man come in like him oil up cause dem couldn't really hold him ... a beat dem beat him dung til dem restrain him."

Our news team understands that while the incident unfolded several residents stood at bay, watching in awe.

THE STAR was told that the man was subsequently restrained and taken from the area to the Bellevue Hospital in Kingston.

An elder from the community lamented, "Bwoy, di madman get some lick but a because him won't hear, an a assault the woman police ... mi feel sorry fi him, but at least, we safer up here now."

THE STAR also gathered that the officers returned to the police station battered and both officers' clothing were torn from the ordeal.

When contacted yesterday, the St Andrew North police said they had received reports of the incident which is still being assessed.

Our news team was informed that the female officer appears to be traumatised, still reeling from the effects of the ordeal as she has not reported to work, and has not been heard from since the incident.