A landscape gardener who scratched, headbutted and bit police officers said he was trying to defend his girlfriend who suffers from epilepsy.

It came after two PCs detained Kalvin Stemp, 25, for a search in a car park in Medway Street, Maidstone on November 6 last year.

As Stemp's girlfriend was pushed away he launched an attack on the officers, with two other men joining in.

Kalvin Stemp, of Howley Way, Maidstone was jailed for three years two months after he admitted causing grievous bodily harm and assault.

Daniel Colegate, 25, of Addison Close, East Malling admitted assault and received a 12-month community order and a 12-hour curfew for the next four months.

Andrew Smith, 50, of Skinners Way, Langley was given a 15-month community order and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work after admitting assault and ABH.

Judge Julian Smith told Stemp that he accepted that his main concern had been the welfare of his girlfriend - but the violence which followed was "almost inexplicable".

The judge added: "You are hard-working and a caring individual and there are so many features of your care for her.

"But whatever it was that she was doing that night, she lost control in her anxiety about you, but you didn't do the right things.

"I don't think it justifies what you did, and the officers were shocked by what they experienced that night."

Prosecutor Honor Fitzgerald told Maidstone Crown Court how, at 11.30pm, PCs Alexander Fields and Joseph Turner had approached a group, including Stemp, Colegate and a woman.

"The group was evasive and Stemp and the female began to walk away. PC Turner then took hold of Stemp and told him he was being detained for the purpose of a search."

The woman, Stemp's girlfriend, who suffers from epilepsy, then took hold of the officer's arm and told him to get off but was pushed away.

It was then Stemp shouted "don't touch her" before being taken to the ground and told he was being arrested.

Ms Fitzgerald added: "Although one of his wrists was handcuffed, he used the other to scratch the officer's eye."

Smith arrived and claimed Stemp was his nephew and offered to assist in calming him down "by pouring oil on troubled waters".

But Stemp then scratched the officer and headbutted his jaw before lunging at PC Fields and biting his right ear and left forearm drawing blood.

He then spat in the officer's face and hair as Smith and Colegate join in by punching the officers before the three then made off.

Ian Dear, defending Stemp, said he had taken on the care of his girlfriend since they met and he had been concerned for her safety.

Iestyn Morgan, for Colegate, said: "He accepts he shouldn't have done what he did."

Video footage of the incident, caught on the body worn cameras of the officers, was shown to the court.

Judge Julian Smith told them: "This case when it was opened sounded graphic and unsettling.

"The film when viewed is a genuine picture of the degree of distrust, emotion, anger and violence. There was punching and biting."