A BRAVE pub couple leapt into action after seeing a police officer being attacked outside their Southampton premises.

Licensee Damien Thompson, 27, stepped in after seeing a police officer being scratched and bitten in the struggle outside The Fleming Arms in Swaythling.

His wife, Danielle, went outside to see what was going on and was horrified to see her husband caught up in the drama.

Danielle, 24, said: "All I could see was everyone rolling around in the mud.

"This woman was kicking my husband, so without thinking I waded in and sat on her feet to stop her moving."

The couple helped Pc Phil Eastick detain a man and woman who had been causing problems in the car park. The troublemakers were arrested after police reinforcements arrived, and have since been dealt with by the courts. Pc Eastick, 24, suffered wounds and scratches in the drama on November 31. Now the pub couple's heroic actions have been recognised with framed commendations for service to the community from Hampshire Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan.

Pc Eastick, based at Southampton Central police station, said he was grateful to Damien and Danielle for stepping in to help.

Superintendent Allyn Thomas, who presented the certificates, said: "This is a wonderful example of public-spirited actions, which certainly prevented Pc Eastick from being more seriously hurt."

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