A VIOLENT criminal who kicked a police officer in the head has been jailed for less than a year.

George Cain, 30, of East Street in Shoreham, was handed a 42 week sentence after a string over aggressive incidents.

Police had been called to Shoreham on November 13 last year over reports of an assault.

As police went to place Cain under arrest on suspicion of the offence, he attacked the two officers and resisted arrest.

Cain punched one officer repeatedly and then kicked the officer to the head.

The officer said: “During my service with Sussex Police, I have never experienced that level of violence shown by Cain.”

Cain also attacked Sergeant Jemma Cranfield. She said: “During my 18 years of service with Sussex Police, this is only the second time I have had to push my emergency button for urgent assistance.”

Security from a nearby bar stepped in alongside further officers to restrain Cain.

Cain also committed 12 thefts at the Co-op convenience store in Shoreham between February 14 and May 14 of this year.

He was further stopped by an off-duty police officer on the A27 near Crossbush, before driving through a red light.

Cain took a roadside DrugWipe test which tested positive for cocaine, but refused to give a blood sample. He tested for 57 microgrammes (mcg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

He appeared before Worthing Magistrates’ Court on August 8, where he admitted the following offences: assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assaulting an emergency worker; twelve counts of shoplifting, drink-driving, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, driving without valid insurance, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis when suspected of drug-driving.

Speaking after the case, Sgt Cranfield said: “The assaults carried out by Cain on officers were disgraceful.

“We should not have to contend with the levels of violence and abuse that were shown.

“Cain later went on to repeatedly steal from a Co-op store, and then took a vehicle from someone known to him and drove while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. He put his own safety and the safety of other road users at risk.

“The court has recognised the seriousness of Cain’s prolific offending and we are pleased that a violent offender has been taken off our streets.”