A man has been jailed for attacking a police dog and punching three officers after he was stopped at a train station during coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

Nelson Nelson was at Nottingham station on 4 April when he was approached by British Transport Police (BTP) officers who quizzed him on his reasons for travel.

The 28-year-old, who lives about 50 miles away in Birmingham, attacked them and knocked one unconscious.

The other officer chased Nelson before the offender dragged him in front of an oncoming bus.

Nelson then charged at and punched another officer as a Nottinghamshire Police team arrived at to help, before running away and jumping over two fences to a point where another officer was waiting with police dog Quantum.

The offender picked up a plank of wood with a nail in it and charged at them, repeatedly hitting the dog, and cutting its chin. A flick-knife was also recovered during the incident.

The four-year old Belgian malinois-German shepherd cross is the same police dog which only just survived being stabbed by an offender in March 2018.

Nelson admitted offences including two counts of actual bodily harm, assault with intent to resist arrest and assaulting an emergency worker.

He also admitted possessing an offensive weapon, having a knife and causing unnecessary suffering to Quantum.

He was sentenced to four years in prison by a judge at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday for the “vicious” attack.

Speaking after the sentencing, Nottinghamshire Chief Constable Craig Guildford said the jail term would send a “very clear message” to those who break the law, especially during lockdown.

He said: “This is a particularly nasty case where officers who are working hard to engage with the public to ensure that ‘stay at home’ guidance is being followed have been subjected to a vicious and sustained assault.

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“The officers acted swiftly, bravely and decisively in assisting their British Transport Police colleagues and I’m convinced police dog Quantum prevented further serious injury to them or the public.

“Our officers, staff and volunteers will not hesitate to jump to the defence of their fellow key workers who are working so hard to lead the nation’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, and this case is further evidence of that.”

Chief Inspector Gareth Davies, from BTP, described it as a “truly horrifying incident” involving officers who were just trying to do their jobs.

“There is never an excuse for this sort of behaviour, but it’s all the more shocking to think this violent rampage began after Nelson was simply asked if his journey was essential,” he said.

“Thankfully, no one was more seriously injured, and Nelson will now have the next few years to reflect on his actions in prison.”