A POLICE officer suffered a devastating facial injury when a teenager swung a bottle at her during a routine inquiry.

PC Clare Douglas stopped Wayne Jones in the early hours of New Year's Day as he and a friend walked through Jarrow shopping centre, in South Tyneside.

PC Douglas and her colleague had been investigating a report of a stolen car and thought the pair matched the description of the two men believed to be responsible for abandoning it.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that when PC Douglas tried to take down the 19-year-old's details, he lashed out with a beer bottle to get away.

As a result, PC Douglas's bottom teeth came through her lower lip.

The shock of the attack means she may not be able to fulfil her aim of working as a community officer.

The court heard how PC Douglas received treatment in South Tyneside District Hospital for the wound, which was stitched, and she spent some weeks off work.

She has since returned to duty, but is carrying out administrative work.

Jones, of Greenlands, Jarrow, admitted wounding with intent to resist arrest. No one has been charged in relation to the stolen car.

Christopher Prince, in mitigation, said Jones, who has several previous convictions including one of resisting a police officer, deeply regretted his actions.

Mr Prince said; "He genuinely did not intend to cause the injury that was, in fact, caused.

"He himself has described his actions as disgraceful and shocking."

Prosecutors accept Jones drunkenly swung the bottle during a struggle to get away, and had not intended to use it as a weapon.

Judge Maurice Carr sentenced Jones to 12 months in a young offenders' institution.

He told him: "I am driven to the conclusion that a sentence of detention is necessary.

"This young woman was on duty carrying out her duty on behalf of the public.

"This was all because you were drunk and you wanted to get away.

"Courts clearly have to protect police officers when they are carrying out their duties."