A Dublin man has been jailed for three years for punching a garda in the face.
Kenneth Gordon (31) of Macroom Road, Coolock, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Court to assault causing harm on February 9th, 2003.
Garda David Gibson was on patrol on Thomas Street when he saw Gordon and a woman acting suspiciously. When he approached them Gordon swore at him and punched him in the eye.
A struggle ensued during which the woman struck Garda Gibson on the head with a mobile phone, leaving him unconscious. He suffered back and neck injuries and was off work for two weeks.
The court heard Gordon has 16 previous convictions including larceny, robbery and possession of drugs and was addicted to heroin at the time of the assault.
Judge Frank O'Donnell told Gordon that experience of being punched in the face is "pretty frightening, whether you're a garda or not".
The woman involved in the assault has already been convicted and jailed for two years, with 18 months suspended.