A cocaine user who tried to bite and kick police officers has been jailed.

Keith Harrison, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of actual bodily harm and three counts of assault and was handed a 16 month prison sentence at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday.

One police officer was left with a torn shoulder blade muscle and another left with a fractured wrist.

Harrison, of Charles Drive, Cuxton, was arrested after an allegation of assault was made following a disturbance in James Road, on Friday, August 24.

He was behaving erratically after taking cocaine and officers attempted to take him to a local hospital as they were concerned for his welfare.

During the trip he became violent, forcing the police car to pull onto the hard shoulder of the M2.

While stopped, Harrison began to assault officers by biting and kicking them in their faces.

"He subjected them to unacceptable levels of violence, endangering their lives and the lives of innocent road users" - Detective Constable Taylar Pronger

As a result, members of the force were left with injuries, including a dislocated thumb, a fractured wrist and swelling and bruising.

The original allegation of assault was later withdrawn by the informant.

Detective Constable Taylar Pronger, the investigating officer for this case, said: "Throughout the entire incident the first priority of the officers involved was to ensure Harrison did not harm himself because of his erratic behaviour.

"In response he subjected them to unacceptable levels of violence, endangering their lives and the lives of innocent road users.

"He admitted being under the influence of class A drugs when these offences were committed but there are no mitigating circumstances and a custodial sentence is entirely justified."