A man who attacked PC Sharon Beshenivsky, four months before she was shot dead during a city centre robbery, has been jailed for 150 days.

But in a prepared speech to Bradford magistrates, 38-year-old Andrew McGuire apologised to the police and the dead officer's relatives.

He said: "I would like to apologise to the family of PC Beshenivsky for the distress I have caused them.

At a time in their lives when they are grieving the loss of a loved wife and cherished mother, they will read articles about my actions which I regret with all my heart. I would also like to apologise to the West Yorkshire Police for my behaviour on that day.

"Police officers serve the public and put their lives on the line every minute of the day. They ensure we can sleep at night and walk safely through the day. They must be respected and appreciated."

The court heard how McGuire, now of Hedge Lane, Droylesden, Manchester, had pleaded guilty prior to the fatal shooting to assaulting PC Beshenivsky and a colleague, PC Craig Taylor, during an incident outside a house in Percival Street, Bradford, on July 24.

He was due to be sentenced on November 26, on the same afternoon that Bradford stood in silent tribute to the fallen officer, but the case was adjourned until December 5.

On that day, McGuire was stated to be ill and the hearing was postponed again until December 14. When he failed to turn up, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Mitigating solicitor Sajad Chaudhury told the court yesterday that McGuire had taken the decision not to face court again until after PC Beshenivsky's funeral. He had handed himself in at Oldham police station the previous evening.

Amanda McGuinness, prosecuting, said that on the day of the assaults police had cordoned off the house in Percival Street where McGuire was living. He arrived in a van and was told there had been an incident inside the house. He demanded to know where his dog was and was told it was tied to a chain in the alleyway.

McGuire went into a courtyard at the rear where PC Taylor asked if he had been drinking. He became abusive and pushed PC Taylor.

He then grabbed hold of the officer's throat. As he was being pushed away, he butted PC Taylor. At that stage, PC Beshenivsky tried to intervene but was grabbed and pushed against a wall.

McGuire then punched PC Taylor to the head, before shouting at his dog to attack the officer. It grabbed the officer's leg and McGuire continued kicking out. PC Taylor suffered redness and bruising while PC Beshenivsky had injured knuckles.

In interview, McGuire said he could not remember what happened as he had been taking medication for heroin withdrawal and had drunk two pints of beer.

Mr Chaudhury said his client had suffered from anxiety attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder since 1999 when he was attacked and left for dead because of his homosexual nature. Two or three days earlier, his brother had committed suicide by hanging himself.

Passing sentence, bench chairman Granville Dobson said the magistrates had viewed the case dispassionately despite recent events. But he said the assaults were "intentional, reckless and sustained"

McGuire also admitted driving without insurance, a licence and a test certificate, and failing to surrender to bail. He was banned from driving for a year.