File photo of police officers

A man who subjected a police officer to homophobic abuse and assaulted another has been jailed for seven months.

Mahabeer Bahia, from Gravesend, was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday after physically and verbally abusing two police officers as they arrested him for headbutting his mother while drunk.

Man caught on camera lobbing homophobic slurs at police officers.

According to KentOnline, the court heard that a drunken Bahia had been “verbally and physically aggressive” towards PC Stephanie Howes, kicking her and pushing her into a door while she attempted to arrest him. A body camera also captured the moment he lobbed anti-gay slurs at her colleague, PC Rhys Williams.

In statements to the court, the police officers described the language used by Bahia as “highly offensive” and “entirely unacceptable and degrading”.

The local newspaper reports that Bahia is likely to be released within days despite the custodial sentence, due to a move to free “low-risk” prisoners during the coronavirus lockdown.

Jailed Mahabeer Bahia will be released quickly due to coronavirus.

Judge Julian Smith said said: “I apprehend you will be released more quickly than would be the case in light of the circumstances within prison,” he told Bahia.

“Your release will be within the next couple of weeks, possibly within the next few days.”

Bahia told the court he regrets his actions, adding: “I have come into prison and I realise I’m not that kind of person and want to change my life. I haven’t spoken to my mum since and I really miss her.”

The judge urged Bahia to “get a grip on this drinking” after the incident, adding: “I have little doubt you are ashamed of having done that. She is your mother, loves you and offers you security, and in a drunken state that’s how you repay her.”

Announcing the early release of prisoners on Saturday, justice secretary Robert Buckland said: “This government is committed to ensuring that justice is served to those who break the law.

“But this is an unprecedented situation because if coronavirus takes hold in our prisons, the NHS could be overwhelmed and more lives put at risk.

“All prisoners will face a tough risk assessment and must comply with strict conditions, including an electronic tag, while they are closely monitored. Those that do not will be recalled to prison.”