A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been handed an 18-month jail term after launching into a “vicious” and “out of the blue” attack on an Ipswich policeman.Stephen Simpson pleaded guilty to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm to Pc Wayne Souza on June 14.

A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been handed an 18-month jail term after launching into a “vicious” and “out of the blue” attack on an Ipswich policeman.

Stephen Simpson pleaded guilty to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm to Pc Wayne Souza on June 14.

Ipswich Crown Court heard Pc Souza was one of the arresting officers who executed a warrant at Simpson's Portman Walk, Ipswich home on the afternoon of the attack.

The defendant, who was found hiding under a bed, was handcuffed and taken to Ipswich police station.

While being checked into the cells, Simpson appeared calm and relaxed.

But then, without provocation, he turned and punched Pc Souza with a left hook, causing the officer to fall to the ground in agony.

Peter Gair, prosecuting, said Simpson then adopted an “aggressive boxer's stance” as one officer directed CS spray towards him and two others sought to restrain him.

The court heard Pc Souza was taken to Ipswich Hospital suffering from a broken nose, a fractured cheekbone and nerve damage.

In a victim statement read out at court, Pc Souza said the attack had left him with mental and physical scars.

He still suffers round-the-clock pain resulting from his injuries, which cause a “pins and needles sensation” in his face. Doctors have told Pc Souza these will not clear up for two years.

After spending four months recovering, he returned to full duties at work in October.

The court was told Simpson had a string of previous convictions, including an armed robbery at a bookmakers' in Clapham, London in 2000 for which he was jailed for five years.

He also has convictions for assault and possession of a five-inch kitchen knife.

Simon Spence, mitigating, said Simpson was suffering from a mental illness diagnosed as “emerging schizophrenia” and had no recollection of the attack.

He appealed to the judge to offer help to Simpson to avoid a repeat of such “spontaneous outbursts of violence”.

Recorder Nicholas Hamblen QC sentenced the defendant to 18 months behind bars, with a further 18 months on license after his release.

He said: “You lashed out with extreme force. You punched Pc Souza in the face with your left hand. You then took up an aggressive stance like a boxer and had to be restrained.

“It's clear this was a serious, unprovoked attack coming entirely out of the blue.

”It clear you are suffering from a mental illness and as long as you do suffer from this illness you are a significant risk to members of the public.”

The court heard Simpson is on a waiting list for a psychiatric clinic in Norfolk and will be treated for his condition.