A man who threatened to douse a traffic warden with faeces and urine before being linked to a stolen vehicle has been jailed for two and a half years.
The incident took place on Boxing Day 2022, when a civil enforcement officer was issuing a parking ticket to a black Nissan parked without a valid permit on Elmer Avenue, Southend.
The vehicle had drawn her attention due to the absence of a displayed permit, prompting her to issue a fine. As the enforcement officer carried out her duties, 33-year-old Danny Rynne approached her and demanded that the penalty notice be revoked.
When she refused, Rynne became increasingly aggressive, verbally threatening her with disturbing comments — including a threat to throw faeces and urine over her.
Fearing for her safety, the officer activated her personal alarm to call for help. At this point, the situation escalated further as Rynne physically grabbed the officer’s hand and forcefully removed her body-worn camera from its holder. He walked away with the device, continuing to hurl insults as he departed.
Police were called to the scene and began an investigation. Officers soon linked the black Nissan to a theft reported earlier that month. On 11 December 2022, a Southend resident had reported her black Nissan had been stolen from her driveway. The vehicle Rynne was driving was found to be displaying false plates, and forensic analysis uncovered Rynne’s fingerprints on an additional number plate inside the car.
Rynne was arrested and subsequently charged with robbery relating to the enforcement officer’s camera, as well as handling stolen goods. Despite the compelling evidence against him, Rynne denied both charges, leading to a lengthy wait for his trial.
The case was finally heard at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday 13 March 2025, where Rynne, of Elmer Avenue, Southend, was found guilty of both offences. He was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
Detective Constable Mark Sawyer, who led the investigation, praised the victim for her resilience throughout the prolonged legal process. He said:
“This was unacceptable threatening behaviour and violence shown towards someone in a public-facing job. No one deserves to be abused, insulted, or attacked while going about their work. After the culprit refused to accept responsibility, the victim was made to wait years to see justice served.
“That time has finally come, and I would praise the victim for her strength and courage throughout this lengthy process. Despite a wait of more than two years, we continued to support the victim through a trial, and the strength of our evidence remained clear to a jury.
“The fact this offender was sent to prison shows that strong sentences will still be handed out for serious offending like robbery and vehicle theft-related matters, even a substantial amount of time later.”