Footage shows arrest of bloodsoaked thug who kicked special constable in the head during Sunderland street disturbance

Connor Bates, 22, was out on licence from prison, for offences that included attacks on four cops, when he lashed out at the officer with his foot last month.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the constable was left with a lump and pain in the back of her head.

She said in a victim statement: "Even though I expect an element of resistive behaviour, I do not expect anyone to physically assault me in my line of duty.

"I was left with pain and a bump to the rear of my head."

Prosecutor Penny Hall told the court police had been called to Amsterdam Road in Sunderland on September 6 following a report of criminal damage.

The officers approached Bates, who matched the description of the suspect, appeared to be under the influence of drink or drugs and had blood on his hands and clothing.

Miss Hall said Bates tried to run off but was detained, while being verbally abusive, physically resisting" and was handcuffed.

She added: "He made reference to kicking the special constable in the head, which he then did.

"The defendant struck his leg out, his left leg, and kicked the special constable to the back of her head."

The court heard the entire incident was captured on body worn camera and showed Bates being abusive before lashing out.

Bates, of Saint Ignatius Close, Sunderland, who has convictions for 31 previous offences, admitted assault on an emergency worker.

The court heard at the time of the attack Bates was out on licence from a prison sentence for offences that included attacks on four police officers .

The four officers came under attack in January, when Bates had to be taken to hospital while in custody and he spat at the officers and kicked one in the shin.

Judge Robert Spragg sentenced Bates, who has already been recalled to prison to complete his sentence for the previous offences, to six months behind bars.

The judge told him: "This was a deliberate kick to the head area of a female officer, just trying to do her job.

"If you continue to assault police officers simply trying to do their job, your sentences are simply going to get longer and longer."

Alec Burns, defending, said Bates "didn't feel he should have been arrested" and was not charged in relation to the offence the officers had been called out for that day.

Mr Burns added: "Drink is his main problem".

The court heard Bates has sought help in custody to deal with his problems that lead to offending.

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