VIDEO: The moment a police officer thought she'd die as her head was smashed on the ground

Sgt Kerry Lawrence was just trying to do her duty when arresting Craig Radbourne over a suspected break-in.

And when she handcuffed the 25-year-old and put him in the back of her police car it seemed like a routine incident.

But in a stunning drunken attack he lashed out at her, knocking her to the ground and then twice smashing her head on the pavement and fleeing the scene - all caught on her body worn video camera.

Now he faces at least 18 months behind bars after admitting the grievous attack - after the entire incident was captured on her body worn video camera.

Winchester Crown Court heard Sgt Lawrence was "fortunate" to be alive and "honestly believed she was going to be killed" by Radbourne.

Sentencing, Judge Susan Evans said the effect of the attack on Sgt Lawrence, who was in the armed forces for seven years and has been with the police for a decade, was frightening.

Craig Radbourne

She said: "She was distressed at how her family would react. She had difficulty sleeping and has been playing the incident over in her head.

"You took away her confidence."

She added: "The excellent quality video footage complete with the sound of the incident showed a shocking and brutal attack.

“The video footage is nothing short of sickening. To bang someone's head on the pavement is an incredibly dangerous act.

"You made off from the scene but thankfully others came to her aid."

In mitigation the court heard Radbourne, of Flaxfield Road, Basingstoke, who pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm, had no history of violence and was well regarded by colleagues in his construction jobs.

Defence barrister Anthony Montgomery also asked the judge to take into account Radbourne's time on remand in custody having already spent around five months in jail since the incident in Basingstoke last July.

But he was sentenced to 36 months in prison, with half to be served on licence.

The sentence has been welcomed by the CPS and Hampshire Police.

Chief Inspector Simon Dodds, district commander for Basingstoke, said: “Assaulting an officer must never be seen as just part of the job. It is unacceptable. This was a disgusting attack on a member of my team, who works tirelessly to serve her community.

“I know it was an extremely traumatic experience for Sgt Lawrence and her family and it also had a significant impact on her team and others at Basingstoke Police Station. I am pleased that the courts have recognised the seriousness of this offence in the sentence passed today.”

John Apter

Chairman of Hampshire Police Federation John Apter added he thought the punishment was “just.”

He said: “This was a very serious, vicious, unprovoked attack on a serving police officer. Fortunately for justice the body worn video has allowed the incident to be played out for the court to allow the judge to make an informed decision.”

But Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Hayes said the sentence was not strong enough.

He said: “I am disappointed that Mr Radbourne has only been sentenced to three years in prison for the extremely violent assault against Sgt Kerry Lawrence. I would hope that he is made to serve the full sentence.”

Simon Clark, senior crown prosecutor for the CPS, said: “Any assault on a public servant during the course of their duty is a substantially aggravating factor when considering sentence and this was drawn to the attention of the Court.

“We would like to thank Sergeant Lawrence for her assistance during the course of this prosecution.”

Since the attack Sgt Lawrence has returned to her normal duties.

Body worn video cameras

THEY are being rolled out to every frontline police officer in Hampshire, but just what are body worn video cameras?

Strapped to the chests of every officer, the palm-sized gadgets capture clear and crisp video and audio footage from crime scenes that can be uploaded within seconds.

They are currently used to capture video and audio evidence when attending all types of criminal incidents.

Inspector Steve Goodier, lead officer for body worn cameras in Hampshire, said: “The power of this video gave the judge the insight to give an appropriate sentence. The video was very powerful, the sound and quality was clear and it was undeniable what the offender did.”

The force has 500 cameras, 170 of which are issued as standard to officers and PCSOs on the Isle of Wight as part of a pilot scheme which started in 2013.