Officer feared his neck was broken when he was launched backwards down flight of stairs
A cop feared his neck was broken when he was launched backwards down a flight of stairs by a thug who warned he "wasn't going to be going quietly".
Police had been called to a supported accommodation premises in Newcastle that houses people who have been released from custody after resident Jack Kennedy started acting aggressively.
Newcastle Crown Court heard when officers arrived Kennedy said he knew he was about to be arrested but he "wasn't going to be going quietly" and initially threw a mug at the constable as he climbed the stairs.
Kennedy then took hold of the officer's legs and lifted him backwards down the stairs, where he fell onto his head.
Kennedy, who later said he had been having a "bad day", then landed on top of him.
The officer was taken to hospital with pain and bruising to the back of his neck and said in an impact statement: "A the time of the incident I immediately feared I could have broken my neck or suffered a serious spinal injury.
"I worried my career could be impacted and worried about my family and the impact it could have on them.
"I feel incredibly lucky to have no lasting injuries.
"This is by far the worst violence directed towards me in my career."
Prosecutor Jordan Parkinson said as Kennedy came down the stairs when police arrived the officer started to walk up.
Miss Parkinson said: "The PC saw the defendant with a mug. He threw the mug at him, towards the side of his chest.
"The officer tried to grab hold of him and he ducked down and grabbed the officer by his thighs and lifted him then pushed him backwards down the stairs.
"The PC fell backwards down the stairs, landing on his head. The defendant landed on top of him."
Other police at the scene used pava spray to detain Kennedy and the injured officer was taken to hospital for checks then discharged later that evening.
Kennedy, 24, of Westmorland Road, Newcastle, admitted attempting to cause GBH.
Jonathan Walker defending, said: "He describes himself as having a bad day and that's something of an understatement. He had been in crisis for many days. He was in real torment at the time and acted explosively."
Mr Walker said the attack was "spontaneous".
Recorder Jason Pitter KC sentenced Kennedy to 30 months behind bars and said: "It must have been absolutely terrifying for him.
"He feared the worst and that he may have sustained serious injury, including breaking his neck, I'm not surprised. That's exactly the type of injury that could have occurred when someone is launched down the stairs."
After the sentence had been passed, Kennedy addressed the court and said: "I would just like to comment and say my actions were disgusting towards that officer.
"I have had a lot of time to think about it, I'm not proud of it. I would like to maybe write an apology."