A knife-wielding attacker went berserk and stabbed a policeman in the head during a "moment of madness".

Aaron Cox, who was jailed for five-and-a-half years yesterday, lunged at Pc Kieron Harriman, wounding the top of his head.

The tip of the blade snapped off, but it was two months before it was found embedded in the officer's skull and surgically removed.

Cox, 25, had armed himself with two knives after falling out with a female friend, Leicester Crown Court heard.

The police were called after he smashed his way into her home in Hill Street, in Barwell.

Ian Way, prosecuting, said: "He lunged very quickly at the officer with a raised clenched fist and forcibly thrust down on the top of the officer's head.

"It was a hard blow."

Cox also charged at a second officer, Pc Michael Statt.

In a victim impact report, Pc Harriman said he felt anxious afterwards and had flashbacks.

"His young children are in fear when he goes off to work," said Mr Way.

Cox, of Henson Way, Sharnford, near Hinckley, admitted affray, common assault, wounding with intent to resist arrest and possessing two offensive weapons in the early hours of January 30 this year.

Cox, who had no previous convictions, said he ignored the officer's requests to stop because he knew he was in trouble and he panicked.

Gary Short, in mitigation, said Cox was otherwise a hard working, decent young man and acted out of character.

Mr Short added: "It was a moment of madness."

Judge Sylvia De Bertodano said she accepted Cox was overwhelmed by regret but added: "It's got to be a sentence of some length."

Pc Harriman said after the hearing: "I'm pleased justice has been done; it's a good sentence. I want to put it behind me and get on with my career."

His commanding officer, Inspector Richard Ward, said: "The officers were confronted by extreme violence and were very brave and used all their training to really good effect.

"It's a testament to Kieron's commitment that he wanted to come back to work as early as he could."