A policeman today told how he feared for his safety after he was attacked by a teenager.

Ryan Byrne, 18, punched, kicked and headbutted PC Paul Austin as he tried to talk to him after he breached an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo).

On Friday the teenager was locked up.

Today PC Austin, based at Shrub End police station, spoke of his horror at the level of violence used in the unprovoked assault.

The officer escaped with cuts and bruises - only because a police community support officer (PCSO) came to his aid.

PC Austin and PCSO Adam Ryder had approached Byrne in Tesco's, in West Mersea, to talk to him because he was wanted for breaching an Asbo which prevented him from harassing emergency services' workers.

PC Austin said: "I approached him and he just ran away. I ran after him down the road and I was just about to catch him when he turned round and started punching and kicking me. He then headbutted me.

"He punched me about three or four times and got past me. Adam tackled him to the floor."

The pair managed to restrain him, but Byrne then got his legs around PCAustin's neck and tried to choke him.

PCSO Ryder helped release his colleague and they managed to restrain Byrne until help arrived.

PC Austin, who has been with Essex Police for just under two years, said: "It was a level of violence I had never experienced before. If Adam hadn't been there it would have been a lot worse, I could have been in serious trouble."

Byrne appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday and admitted a public order offence, actual bodily harm, assaulting a police officer, theft, two breaches of his Asbo and possession of cannabis.

He was sentenced to 12 months at a young offenders' institution.

The incident took place on April 1 at about 9.30pm.