A VIOLENT thug has been put behind bars after strangling a police officer in a shocking incident.

Michael Sadler also bit another officer, assaulting four emergency workers in total.

The 39-year-old was subsequently charged with four counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker and one of intentional strangulation.

He appeared to be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, January 5, where he was told that immediate imprisonment was the only appropriate punishment.

Simon Mintz, prosecuting, told the court how the incident occurred on November 3 when officers were called to an address in Runcorn.

On their arrival, Sadler proceeded to strangle one of them intentionally and assaulted him by punching him to the face.

A female officer was also struck to the face by the defendant, while two others were either kicked or bitten.

In his defence, the court heard that he entered guilty pleas to all of the charges he faced.

Sadler, of The Calvers in Runcorn, was sentenced by judge Simon Berkson to 24 months in prison.

He was also ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £187.