A VIOLENT offender who assaulted police officers – almost breaking one of their arms – has been jailed.

Gareth Hart, 39, assaulted two officers who attended an address in Longbenton, Newcastle, following reports of a disturbance.

Intoxicated Hart turned violent arming himself with gym weights before assaulting two of the officers, almost breaking one of their arms.

He was arrested and later charged with attempted wounding with intent, two counts of assault, battery and criminal damage.

Hart was found guilty of attempted wounding with intent and one count of assault and not guilty of all other charges following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court last November.

On Thursday, he was sentenced to a total of four years and six months.

Chief Inspector Kev Waring, of Northumbria Police’s Northern Area Command, said: “This was a disgraceful and unprovoked attack that saw the defendant violently attack officers with intent to seriously injure them.

“Officers come in to work every single day knowing they could be faced with dangerous situations, however such attacks are completely unacceptable and it is right that those responsible are brought to justice.

“This sentence demonstrates the lengths, even when faced with such levels of violence and hostility, which officers will go to in order to protect the communities we serve and put offenders before the courts.”

Hart, of Lambourne Avenue in North Tyneside, was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £170.