WARNING: GRAPHIC FOOTAGE

Queensland Police have released graphic video footage of a former officer bashing a tourist and a barmaid in the state’s north.



Ex-policeman Benjamin Thomas Price, 34, was yesterday sentenced to 27 months' jail after pleading guilty to four counts of assault while he was a senior constable at the Airlie Beach police station.



Police decided to publish the CCTV footage on YouTube today, saying the matter was one of public interest.

The footage, which was shown in court last week, includes vision of Price punching 23-year-old Timothy Steele in the head and putting him in a brutal spine lock.

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The commercial diver was left with a broken nose, two blackened eyes, and cuts and bruising to the face.



Other police officers can be seen watching as Price stuffs a fire hose into his victim's mouth, nearly drowning him in a five-minute ordeal.



The footage also shows Price hitting barmaid Renee Tom, who was aged 21 at the time.



The small woman was flung about by the hair and slammed to the floor inside the watchhouse in January 2008.



Price's actions only came to light when he was reported by female constable Bree Sonter. He was forced to resign after an internal affairs investigation.



Townsville District Court judge Stuart Durward, handing down the sentence yesterday, described the bashings as "cowardly and contemptuous", noting that two of the victims, including a slightly built young woman, had been in handcuffs.



"You deliberately abused your position as a police officer and deliberately inflicted pain and suffering," he said.



He said Price, who appeared emotionless throughout sentencing, had shown little remorse for his actions.



Judge Durward acknowledged Price would have a harder time in prison because he was a police officer, but said that did not mean he would receive a lesser sentence.



Queensland police deputy commissioner Ian Stewart told reporters yesterday the case was "disturbing" and Price's behaviour "inexcusable".



He offered the police service's most sincere apology to the victims, their families and the community.



Mr Stewart confirmed that five officers had resigned and three more were facing potential disciplinary actions over the incidents.

- with AAP