A MAN has been spared prison after breaking a female police officer’s nose in a violent assault.

Remmi Kibera, 35, of Beaumont Court, Victoria Avenue, Southend, was drunk and arguing with his wife on September 22 when two police officers rushed to the scene to help.

Upon arrival, the officers were subjected to what magistrates called “a protracted violent incident” which involved being the targets of Kibera’s abusive and violent outburst.

Kibera physically assaulted the two police officers and broke one of their noses which left her needing surgery.

He was arrested and charged with causing her actual bodily harm (ABH), assaulting the second officer and and using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Kibera appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court, where he admitted all three counts and was sentenced to ten weeks in prison, but it was suspended for 12 months.

Chairman of the bench Wendy Black said the offence was serious enough to warrant a custodial penalty, but his guilty plea was taken into account when determining his sentence.

She added: “He was under the influence of alcohol and the police were called to assist his wife in a domestic incident. The police were carrying out their duty which resulted in a protracted violent incident where the officers were abused and assaulted.

“One of the officers received a broken nose which required surgery under general anaesthetic, causing her much distress.

“The officer is still receiving treatment for her injury.”

Kibera must complete 150 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £500 in compensation to the officer whose nose was broken and £100 to the other officer.

The sentence comes days after a video showing two Metropolitan police officers being viciously assaulted in London went viral.

New legislation has been introduced to deter people from attacking emergency service workers.

Steve Taylor, chairman of the Essex Police Federation, said anyone who attacks the police is attacking society itself.

He added: “I believe if you choose to attack a police officer, you should be sent to prison, but I understand each case must be judged on its facts.

“Generally speaking, we welcome the new legislation and are keen in the deterrent effect it may bring but as we saw at the weekend with eight colleagues being assaulted this weekend alone - that work might not yet have landed.”