Edward Griffin, 38, attacked the officer as he was being arrested for throwing bicycles from the balcony of his flat in Crown Way.

Neighbours had called the police after hearing a lot of noise from his flat in June last year. Speaking at Warwick Crown Court on January 7, prosecutor Iain Willis said Griffin was shouting threats and saying he had a knife. He came out onto the balcony of his first-floor flat and hurled three bicycles to the ground below.

When officers arrived Pc David Picken asked him to come down, at which Griffin responded by threatening: "I'll come down and I'm going to stab every last one of you".

Officers, armed with riot shields and a police dog, went up to his flat and arrested him on suspicion of affray.

Mr Willis said Griffin sank his teeth into Pc Picken's shoulder, clenching so hard that another officer had to punch him to force him to release his grip.

He had the officer's blood in his mouth and Pc Picken's shirt was heavily bloodstained.

Griffin had convictions for violence including one for wounding with intent in 2002. At the time was subject to a community order for common assault, and had failed to turn up to be sentenced in November.

Shaun Logan, defending, said Griffin was deeply upset at his actions that evening.

He said that Griffin had conquered a six-year cocaine habit, but on the day of the incident had been binge drinking and taking sleeping tablets, and became angry because someone who was staying with him had "trashed" his flat.

Jailing Griffin, Judge Trevor Faber told him: "When you were arrested for affray you committed this serious offence of violence by biting Pc Picken.

"I have seen the photograph of that injury and of the bleeding on his shirt. It was a pretty substantial bite and it was extremely unpleasant.

"Police officers doing their duty deserve the protection of the courts if those with whom they are dealing use violence towards them rather than coming quietly."