A JUDGE has warned that violence on Bournemouth's streets "must be stopped" after hearing how a police sergeant was knocked out by a drunken ex-boxer during a night-out.

Father-of-one, Marc Plunkett, who was named best boxer in Dorset in 1999, admitted maliciously wounding Sgt Andrew Keel on April 4 this year.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how the 32-year-old from Llewelyn Close, Poole, had lashed out after the officer tried to arrest him in Old Christchurch Road.

Jeremy Wright, prosecuting, said Sgt Keel and a woman constable had been on foot patrol when they spotted Plunkett involved in an argument outside a takeaway shop.

Plunkett became abusive and started swearing at Sgt Keel, who warned him he would be arrested.

Mr Wright added: "He continued to swear and wave his arms about in a threatening manner so Sgt Keel arrested him.

With the help of friends he managed to break free. The police officers tried to keep hold of him but were obstructed by others."

After Sgt Keel gave chase Plunkett "struck him in the face with a clenched fist, hitting him so hard he was knocked unconscious either by the blow or hitting his head on the pavement," said Mr Wright.

The injured officer, who was unconscious for several minutes, needed ten stitches for a head wound.

A security manager at a nearby shop kept Plunkett at the scene until reinforcements arrived.

Defending, Leslie Smith said his client had been drunk and now accepted his behaviour had been "appalling."

He stressed that Plunkett had not deliberately struck the officer but "hit the first person who pulled him back," later apologising to his victim.

Jailing Plunkett for 15 months, Judge Roger Jarvis said: "It is a sad experience of this court that there are a number of occasions when it has to deal with violence on the streets of Bournemouth.

"This is something the court deplores and this sort of act must be stopped.

"The court has to send out a message that if an officer makes a legitimate requirement of someone and he is not obeyed the court will back up that officer."

He told Plunkett: "You, an ex-boxer, struck this police officer so hard he fell and was knocked unconscious. This sort of behaviour will simply not be tolerated."

Speaking after the case, Sgt Keel said: "Fortunately my injuries were not life-threatening. But, if it wasn't for the speedy intervention of a few members of the public, they could well have been."

Inspector Neil MacBean of Bournemouth police said: "Like any other town in the UK we experience a fair amount of antisocial behaviour and violent crime.

"This year we have been addressing that by having additional resources on the streets in the town centre."

In 1999 Plunkett picked up the Arnold Eckersley Trophy after being judged the best boxer in Dorset at the Hamworthy Engineering Sports and Social Club show.

He was presented with the trophy by the Dorset Amateur Boxing Association for his efforts during the previous season when he won the Western Counties light middleweight championship.

First published: Sept 21