A 'COWARDLY' man has been jailed for 15 months after he admitted kicking a police officer in the face.

Matthew Taylor, 23, of Winsford, appeared at Knutsford Crown Court on Friday. He was sentenced to serve 15 months for assaulting PC John Brundrett and 14 days for a separate offence of obstructing a police officer.

Taylor and another man had been stopped by PC Brundrett in Cheviot Square, Winsford, in October when the offence took place.

The officer suspected Taylor of carrying drugs, but when PC Brundrett knelt down to search socks for drugs, Taylor lashed out, kicking the policeman in the face before running away.

Colleagues in the Winsford police Community Action Team were quick to apprehend Taylor, while the officer was taken to hospital suffering bruising and chipped teeth. He has since returned to normal duties.

Inspector Brian Roberts of Vale Royal Police said the sentence carried a strong message that attacking police officers would not be tolerated.

He said: 'The circumstances of this assault are very disturbing and any person who is prepared to attack an officer in this way is cowardly and weak.

'One of our keenest and most enthusiastic officers was carrying out a drug search and while he was in a vulnerable position he was viciously attacked by Taylor, who kicked him to the head.

He added: 'My staff are working hard in the community, particularly on the Over Estate, and I hope people appreciate the dedication and commitment of officers like John Brundrett.'