A POLICE officer has been left permanently scarred after a brutal assault.
The attack took place while the officer was attempting to restrain David McMahon, a drug user who was later found carrying cocaine.
He was handed a prison sentence as he appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on August 2, 2024, in Thatto Heath.
Officers attempted to search McMahon, who fled the scene.
When police caught up with him, he punched an officer several times and headbutted him during what was described in court as a "prolonged and persistent assault."
Barrister Mr Barnett, prosecuting, told the court that officers found 22 knotted bags of cocaine on McMahon, totalling 23g of the Class A drug at 14 per cent purity.
The drugs were valued between £944 and £2,360.
A further small package of cocaine was found on McMahon while he was in police custody.
During the struggle, officers used pepper spray and threatened to use a Taser before McMahon was subdued.
The officer who was assaulted sustained a bleeding nose and injuries to both elbows, one of which remains scarred.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, the officer said the incident has affected his ability to perform his duties and that the "significant scar" serves as a "constant reminder of the incident."
McMahon had previous convictions for drug-related offences and violence, including assaulting police officers.
Mr Barnett said aggravating factors in the case included McMahon’s criminal history, the "large quantity" of drugs found, and his attempt to conceal evidence by trying to dispose of the packages under a police car.
Katie Walden, defending McMahon, requested a 25 per cent reduction in his sentence for the drugs offence due to his early guilty plea.
She said he had been a "victim of abuse" when he was young which was a factor in his drug use from the age of 15.
She said McMahon is a father of three and wants to be a "positive father figure" for his children.
She said he "acknowledges the need to rehabilitate himself from drug use."
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Ms Walden also told the court that McMahon suffers from ADHD and depression, which she said "does provide some explanation for his impulsivity on the day of this offending."
McMahon was convicted in May after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court for assaulting an emergency worker.
He had pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine at an earlier hearing in June last year.
McMahon, 37, of Upland Road, Thatto Heath, was sentenced by judge Recorder Emma Fisher to 16 weeks in prison for assaulting an emergency worker, with a further four weeks for a drugs offence, making a prison term of 20 weeks.
The court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and related evidence.
A sum of £60 in cash was also forfeited and awarded to the Phoenix Community & Youth Project.
A victim surcharge was imposed and will be collected under a collection order.
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