A HAMPSHIRE police officer has spoken of the “frightening and horrible attack which has affected every aspect of her life ever since.”

Police dog handler, PC Jo Moyce has seen two men jailed for a total of three years today for assaulting her when she tried to arrest them.

PC Moyce clung on for her life after approaching the suspects in a stolen van - despite being dragged along with the reversing car, punched in the head and kicked in the jaw as they tried to escape.

Winchester Crown Court heard how PC Moyce had gone to Charlton Road in Andover at 6am on Saturday, January 10 which her police dog, three-year-old German Shepherd Mac.

PC Moyce tracked the two men who had stolen a van from a nearby property to a nearby alley where they were inside a Vauxhall Vivaro and started driving towards her.

The van got stuck in a hedge heading towards PC Moyce so she ran towards the passenger door and grabbed one of the suspects.

As she did the driver started reversing with her hanging from the side of the vehicle and when she refused to let go the passenger punched her in the head.

PC Moyce, who has been a Hampshire policewoman for 23 years and a dog handler for 13, couldn’t press her emergency button as she was desperately trying to detain the suspect and disengage the gear stick.

The driver then got out of the vehicle and tried to pull his accomplice from the van but PC Moyce kept hold of him which is when he kicked her in the head, his foot hitting her fully in the jaw.

PC Moyce managed to keep hold of one of the men until back-up arrived and the two were arrested and charged in connection with the incident soon after. Mum to a four-year-old boy, PC Moyce suffered damage to her jaw and severe whiplash which has damaged the nerves in her neck. She is still receiving treatment and hasn’t been able to return to work.

Now the driver, Scott Emery, 21 of Bere Hill Crescent, Andover has been charged with drink driving, burglary and theft of a motor vehicle with two counts of criminal damage, as well as driving without insurance or a licence.

The passenger, Liam Robinson, 19 of Exeter Street, Salisbury was charged with burglary, theft of a motor vehicle and assaulting a police officer.

Speaking after the sentencing, she said: “The injuries I sustained in this attack impact everything I do. I am not even able to exercise my dogs, which is heartbreaking. Being a dog handler was a childhood dream of mine and to not be able to perform my role is absolutely devastating to me.

“The actions of those two men on that day have been completely life-changing. I am desperate to resume police work with my dogs and have my active life with my family back. Whilst I am relieved to see these men jailed, I continue to live with the result of their actions and that is extremely tough.”

Deputy Chief Constable Graham McNulty added: "The assault on PC Moyce was a despicable and cowardly act by these two men. PC Moyce showed remarkable bravery and composure in detaining her attacker in such circumstances."

Simon Hayes, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire, said: “This case highlights the risks and dangers that police officers face every day while protecting people and places from crime and harm. I admire Jo’s courage, conviction and bravery.”