AN Ipswich man who wounded a police officer with a shard of glass has been jailed for 18 months.Pc Wayne Grimwood had been called to a disturbance in Bramford Road where a drunk Richard Marjoram was brandishing a kitchen knife.

AN Ipswich man who wounded a police officer with a shard of glass has been jailed for 18 months.

Pc Wayne Grimwood had been called to a disturbance in Bramford Road where a drunk Richard Marjoram was brandishing a kitchen knife.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that as Pc Grimwood approached the back of the house, Marjoram smashed a window.

Pc Grimwood raised his hand to shield his face but a flying shard of glass caused a two centimetre cut to his hand which severed a tendon and required an operation and extensive physiotherapy.

The court heard that the 21-year-old had argued with his girlfriend last August and police were called to their address.

Gerard Pounder, prosecuting, said Marjoram "brandished" a knife in front of a police officer in the kitchen. He then smashed the window with a bowl before going into the back garden with the knife in one hand and a bottle in the other.

Marjoram proceeded to cut himself with the kitchen knife. Officers then "jumped" on him and arrested him.

Marjoram pleaded guilty to causing unlawful wounding to Pc Grimwood.

Robin Du Preez, mitigating, said his client did not intend to hurt anyone when he smashed the window. He said Marjoram had a "difficult upbringing" and became angry when he drank alcohol.

The court heard that Marjoram feared jail because he had been bullied, pushed downstairs and had a cigarette put out in his ear when he served time in a young offenders' institute in 1999 for violent offending.

Judge Peter Thompson said: "It took seven police officers to talk you out of hurting yourself. Your girlfriend and her baby had to be ushered out of the house for their own safety."

Marjoram sobbed as he was sentenced. He said: "I did not mean to hurt anybody," as he was led to the cells.