A TOTTON man has been jailed for ten months after punching a police officer unconscious as he was about to be arrested.

Ten officers including acting police sergeant Philip Price and a dog handler converged on the home of Shane Simpson late at night, armed with a warrant for an alleged breach of a nonmolestation order.

Simpson, under the influence of drink and cocaine, fled but was confronted in a narrow alleyway by Sgt Price who had his arms outstretched and his palms open. But Simpson punched him in the face, fracturing his nose and causing him to fall onto a road where he lost consciousness.

Prosecutor Matthew Lawson said he was taken to hospital for treatment where he received five stitches for the injury which would leave a permanent scar.

Colleagues eventually restrained Simpson.

In an impact statement, Sgt Price described how he felt severe pain from the blow with blood pouring from his nose. “I have been a police officer for ten years and I have never had this level of violence directed at me.”

Simpson, 37, of Arundel Road, Totton, admitted causing actual bodily harm.

In mitigation, Zoe Van Ben Bosch said it was not a sustained attacked and the assault consisted of one blow. Drink and drugs were at the root of his behaviour but he was motivated to change and was remorseful for what he had done.

The alleged breach of the order was dropped, she added.

Recorder Nigel Lickley QC said it was a serious assault on an officer who was doing his duty and it had caused him pain and injury.

“In my judgement, only an immediate prison sentence is appropriate,” he said.