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A man is shown headbutting a special constable with such force that both were knocked unconscious in a hospital waiting room, in shocking footage shared by police after he was jailed. Liam Moriarty, 31, of no fixed address, attacked Special Constable Jack Capener at Bedford Hospital on September 6 last year.

Footage released by Bedfordshire Police shows Moriarty being restrained by one officer in the waiting room. As Special Constable Capener walks in, Moriarty immediately headbutts him in the face. The impact causes both men to fall to the floor unconscious.

Moriarty had been arrested after a car he was travelling in was involved in a collision in Shefford, Bedfordshire. He sustained injuries in the crash and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Following the assault, Special Constable Capener was examined by ear, nose, and throat specialists who confirmed a broken nose that required stitches. He was unable to return to duty for almost two months.

While receiving medical treatment for his own injuries after the headbutt, Moriarty continued his outburst. He spat in the face of a second officer and caused more than £5,000 worth of damage to hospital equipment.

At Luton Crown Court, Moriarty admitted three charges: inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault on an emergency worker, and criminal damage to hospital equipment.

On Friday February 27, he was sentenced to a total of two and a half years' imprisonment, with six months already spent on remand deducted. Two further charges of damaging property and handling stolen goods were ordered to lie on file.

Special Constable Capener said: "Every officer knows there is a potential for danger any time you go out. Running towards danger is a part of the job, but being assaulted is not.

"This was a horrible attack that came while we were caring for someone in our custody. We take every precaution, but sometimes keeping the public safe unfortunately comes at a cost.

"I welcome Moriarty's sentence and the court's recognition that assaults on emergency workers are unacceptable."

Chief Inspector Emma Nicol added: "This was a shocking and cowardly attack on an officer who was simply trying to do their job, and I am pleased Moriarty has received a considerable custodial sentence.

"It's a reminder that every single day officers put themselves in harm's way to keep the public safe.

"This was a man who attacked officers when they'd tried to assist him by taking him to hospital. I would like to commend the actions of the officers who behaved with exemplary restraint and courage."

Bedfordshire Police said officers are assaulted on average almost 30 times a month while on duty. The force runs a scheme called Maggie's Law, named after the daughter of PC Jon Henry who was killed in the line of duty in 2007. Under the initiative, any officer who is assaulted is contacted by a senior officer and guided towards enhanced welfare support.