A thug sunk his teeth into a police officer's face during a vicious assault.

David Hilden attacked the officer while a pal was handcuffed for failing to stop his car.

The 22-year-old and Robbie Booth, 23, then set upon the PC who later needed treatment for his injuries.

Recorder David Vince told them: "This was plainly a vicious and sustained assault on a police officer who was simply discharging his duty to serve the public.

"The assault you committed was an affront to that. I have seen the photographs of the injuries and it is clear what you did to the officer has had a lasting effect on him, on his personal and professional life and his sense of well-being.

"It was a deliberate, albeit spontaneous, attack. It was an assault on an emergency worker, and that is the most significant aggravating factor of this offence."

Maidstone Crown Court heard how the attack happened on October 21 last year after the officer had been alerted that a grey BMW that had failed to stop for another police vehicle had been spotted in the Mangravet area of Maidstone.

The officer found the car parked and unattended in Woodside Road and, after keeping watch, saw Booth getting into the vehicle.

But as he tried to cuff him, Hilden crept up behind the officer and punched him in his face. The two then continued the attack before Hilden bit the officer.

"Booth was not compliant and was struggling with the officer. Hilden then approached from behind and punched PC Matthews to the face causing him to fall backwards," said prosecutor Stacey-Lee Holland.

"He then bit PC Matthews's face, causing cuts. As the officer moved away and crouched down in a prone position, Hilden continued to punch him in the face and body.

"He then held the officer down as Booth searched the car for an item, and then both ran away."

The court heard how Booth had reached under the car seat and grabbed a black package containing cannabis before they both ran away.

They were later seen by another officer who chased them over a field before capturing them, the court heard.

The injured officer was taken to hospital for treatment to facial lacerations and bruising.

In victim impact statements the officer described how the assault had affected him.

Miss Holland told the court: "This assault has drastically changed his life in a variety of ways.

"The incident still plays on his mind while in his line of work as a police officer, he says he feels wary about those who may wish to cause him harm, and is reminded of what happened by his scars.

"He is the father of two young children and one was upset at his injuries.

"He said 'My daughter worries about me going to work, having seen me come back from work with injuries, and still refers to the attack and talks about the baddies'."

Hilden and Booth, both of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to assault and possessing the Class B drugs.

Booth received a one-year prison sentence suspended for 18 months and was ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work and pay £700 compensation.

Hilden was jailed for 21 months.

After the hearing Deputy Area Commander, Superintendent Jon Kirby, said: "This was a brutal and cowardly assault on an officer by two men who thought they could avoid being arrested.

"However, they were swiftly tracked down by patrols responding to assist their injured colleague, who I am pleased to say is back at work serving the public."

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