A 20-year-old man has been locked up for attacking four police officers – three of them at one go.

Tafail Hussain bit, punched, butted and kicked the constables in two violent outbursts, Bradford magistrates heard.

Hussain was sent to custody for five months today after chairman of the bench, Valerie Parnham, told him: “Police officers are public servants and must be protected.”

Prosecutor Marina Hunter-Gray told the court Hussain, of Fairbank Road, Girlington, Bradford, pleaded guilty to four offences of assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty.

He attacked PC Andrew Muskett on August 24 after the officer stopped Hussain’s car on Thornton Road, Bradford.

Miss Hunter-Gray said Hussain told PC Muskett he was testing the vehicle.

He was arrested to confirm his identity and bit the officer’s arm in the back of a police car.

Hussain lashed out and spat at PC Muskett, continuing to kick out after he was handcuffed.

He was on court bail when the police attended a minor road accident at 7.50pm on October 19.

The court heard Hussain was at the wheel of one vehicle involved in the collision on Thornton Road.

He was arrested by PC Mark Claxton after becoming verbally abusive.

Miss Hunter-Gray said Hussain punched the officer in the face and butted him. He continued his violent resistance when PC Jonathan Ramsden and PC Jamie Wilkinson came to assist.

PC Ramsden was kicked in the face and PC Wilkinson bitten on the upper arm. PC Ramsden suffered dizziness and violent headaches. He was signed off work for a week with concussion.

Solicitor Yousaf Alias urged the magistrates to follow a probation service recommendation to send Hussain on an Intensive Alternative to Custody programme.

He said Hussain understood his behaviour was completely unacceptable. He was remorseful and had learned a good deal from the incidents.

He was in employment and had no previous convictions.

But Hussain was led off in handcuffs after the magistrates said the offences were too serious for a non-custodial sentence.