A former amateur boxer has been locked up for attacking a police officer who caught him carrying out a drugs deal.

Blaine Moore, 19, of Leeds Street, Keighley, had previously been given a 12-month prison sentence for assaulting another police officer in 2008.

Moore was approached by Sergeant Banks, who had seen what he believed to be a drug deal in a car in Grafton Street, Keighley, on October 9, Bradford Crown Court was told today.

Prosecutor Simon Haring said Moore had “swung out and punched Sgt Banks on the chin and then threw a barrage of punches”.

He continued to punch after they fell to the ground, leaving Sgt Banks needing stitches to his elbow and with bruising on his face.

Moore was later found to be in possession of wraps of crack cocaine and £147.50.

He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and assaulting Sgt Banks causing actual bodily harm.

Sentencing Moore to a total of two years in custody, Judge Jonathan Rose said he should have been aware of the seriousness of his offence.

He said: “You would have known then the court will protect the police service, who carry out a difficult and dangerous job.

“People like you who assault police officers will go to custody.”

Charlotte Eastwood, mitigating for Moore, said he became involved in the deal to “provide” for his girlfriend and their child, however the court heard it was to fund a family holiday.

“You did it because you wanted easy money,” said Judge Rose.

“If you, or anyone else thinks selling drugs is easy money, that is a huge error. What it is, is peddling death, and that is why the courts will act harshly.”

Moore was sentenced to 15 months in a young offenders’ institution for the possession charge and a further nine months for his assault on Sgt Banks to be served consecutively.

The defendant, who was on a conditional discharge at the time of the offences, was given three months for breaching it, and three months for possession of criminal property – both to be served concurrently.

Judge Rose ordered the drugs to be destroyed, and the cash in Moore’s possession to be confiscated, telling Moore it would be used to fight drug dealers.