A police officer who was bitten by a thief’s dog and threatened with a screwdriver part way through training has received a commendation.

Police Constable Leonora Booth has received a Chief Constable’s Commendation in recognition of her courage and bravery while dealing with an incident while off-duty in Tunbridge Wells.

PC Booth, who was part way through her initial training, was parked at the Tesco supermarket in Pembury Road on Saturday, April 30, 2016, when a man who had stolen some alcohol ran to his car and tried to leave.

She intervened and tried to restrain him before he became abusive and threatened her with his Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a screw driver. He then also drove his car into PC Booth’s.

The police officer managed to restrain the offender and sustained a puncture wound after the dog clamped its jaws around her arm.

Despite the injury she managed to prevent the offender, a 44-year-old man from Rochester, from leaving until police colleagues arrived.

He was subsequently arrested and charged with various offences including driving without a licence, driving without insurance, possessing a knife.

He was also charged with threatening a person with an offensive weapon, being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, and theft and has since served a custodial sentence.

PC Booth was commended for her courage, bravery and tenacity in detaining the offender whilst off duty that day and thus preventing him from committing further offences and avoiding justice.

Kent Police’s Chief Constable Alan Pughsley held the awards ceremony to recognise the outstanding commitment shown by a number of police officers and staff.

Mike Hill, Chair of the Kent Police and Crime Panel was invited as a Guest of Honour to present the awards to the officers.

Nine police officers and member of police staff were also presented with Long Service awards in recognition of their years of service to Kent Police.