A MAN involved in a sustained assault on a lone police officer attending a report of disorder at a pub was today (Thursday July 23) jailed for eight months.

Concern over single officer deployment was raised in the wake of the case of Mark Thomas, who turned on the police constable trying to detain him as he left the Hat and Feathers, in Seaham, County Durham, late on May 11.

Durham Crown Court heard the drunken defendant threatened staff after being refused service, before smashing lighting and decorations on leaving the premises, at about 11.40pm.

An officer responding to a call from concerned staff caught up with Thomas jogging away from the Church Street pub, identified himself and asked him to stop.

A struggle ensued in which both, at times, got the better of the other, but at one point Thomas was astride the officer, repeatedly punching him, being encouraged by two onlookers.

Rachel Mangenie, prosecuting, said the officer eventually managed to overpower Thomas with partial use of a Taser stun device and incapacitant spray, which he deployed fearing for his safety, as a lone policeman, potentially facing up to three combatants.

Miss Mangenie said other officers arrived to assist in the arrest.

Thomas later told police he had little memory of the evening, other than going drinking with friends, before falling and bumping his head.

But the 27-year-old, of Stockton Road, Seaham, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and affray at a previous court hearing.

Miss Mangenie said the officer underwent lengthy treatment for a broken nose, which had to be re-set, several damaged teeth, a trapped nerve in the neck and other injuries.

He is attending a police rehabilitation centre in Scotland, having returned to light duties, but is doubtful if he can face frontline policing again.

In his impact statement he stated: “I felt like I had to fight for my life.

“Due to single crewing policy I didn’t know how long my back up would take.”

Jane Foley, mitigating, said Thomas has little offending history, and nothing for eight years, but conceded the “disgraceful” incident came about after heavy drinking.

She added he deeply regrets his actions and has sought help to curb his drinking.

Several character testimonials were presented to the court on the defendant’s behalf.

Jailing him, Judge Simon Hickey said the public would be “outraged” if he imposed anything other than a custodial sentence, for an attack on a lone policeman, “trying to do his public duty as a front line officer.”

In response to concerns highlighted by the case, Chief Superintendent Helen McMillan, of Durham Police, said: “For some time the usual force policy has been for officers to be deployed singly, rather than double-crewed.

“This allows us to maximise our available resources and enables more incidents to be dealt with during a given shift.

“However, each call which comes in requiring police attendance is risk-assessed and should an incident require additional resources than of course they are deployed.”

She added that the case underlines the risk faced by officers.