A police officer believed he could have been killed in the line of duty while arresting a man who slashed out at him with a knife.

Kieran Brown, aged 28, had previously been convicted 22 times for 44 offences, Bolton Crown Court heard on Monday, May 22.

On February 26 this year, Brown, who the court heard was "addicted to crack cocaine", was at his parents’ house with his girlfriend, Lauren Moore.

Prosecutor, Brendan O’Leary, said: “The defendant’s father had given him £20, which he had asked for to buy cannabis and cigarettes.”

However, Brown used the money to buy crack cocaine, which he then smoked whilst he locked himself in his parents’ bathroom.

Mr O’Leary said: “When he came out of the bathroom, his father described him as ‘incredibly aggressive’.”

Brown then pulled his girlfriend down the stairs. By this point, his father had called the police. When they arrived, they tried to arrest Brown.

Mr O’Leary said: “He reached for a knife on top of the fireplace and swung it at an officer. It made contact with their protective vest.”

Brown then took the knife outside, but was apprehended by a police dog unit.

The police officer whose vest was hit with the knife gave a victim impact statement, which Mr O’Leary read out to the court.

He said: “PC Tomlinson said ‘the incident really bothered me’. He said he has been threatened with violence previously and that it doesn’t really bother him, it’s just part of the job.

“But in this incident, he genuinely believed he would have been stabbed and killed in the line of duty.

“He felt his son, who he loves very much, would grow up without a father.”

Mr O’Leary added: “The defendant is 28 years of age and has 22 convictions for 44 offences.”

The offences included one of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, four common assaults and 13 criminal damages.

In mitigation, defending barrister Mark Friend said: “He is not someone you can portray as of good character, but the vast majority, if not the entirety of his convictions, owe to difficulties with his mental health as a result of his voluntary misuse of Class A drugs.”

Brown had previously pleaded guilty to four charges, possession of a bladed article in a public place, assault with intent to resist arrest, common assault and criminal damage.

Mr Friend said that during Brown’s time in custody since his arrest, he has "engaged with agencies who can assist him", has "become stable on methadone" and has "made contact with" Achieve, the alcohol and drug service.

He said: “He is in a far better place than he was when he was remanded.”

Recorder Michael Maher said: “Mercifully that officer’s protective vest took the impact, but you being under the influence of drugs, that is luck rather than judgement.”

He added: “I’ve read from your mother and father, who describe the ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ affect of drugs on you, they believe there is a very different side to you.

“You are very fortunate indeed to have them in your life. I suspect even they have their limit.”

Recorder Maher said: “Drugs, it seems to me, have a vice-like grip on you, and until you realise that, your life will continue to circle the drain, even with the support of your family.

“You slashed out at a police officer. Justice can only be done with an immediate custodial sentence.”

He sentenced Brown to nine months imprisonment.