A POLICEWOMAN who needed stitches after she was punched in the face is “disillusioned” as her assailant begins a term of 18 months imprisonment.

The constable was off work for “some time”, and remained nervous and on “the lookout” for her attacker, said sentencing judge Chris Field in Gisborne District Court.

Fabian Thomas Miller’s sentence is made up of 13 months imprisonment for a range of offences committed before the May 5 incident involving the policewoman, and an additional five months for assaulting and resisting her, resisting two other policemen and escaping from custody.

Judge Field said the court would impose cumulative sentences for assaults on police.

Miller, aged 21, pleaded guilty to earlier offences including two counts of assault, assault with a screwdriver, disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence, entering a property with intent to commit a crime, four counts of breaching release conditions and two counts of breaching community work.

The court heard Miller was a passenger in a speeding car stopped by police in Palmerston Road on May 5.

Miller gave false details but police recognised him.

He was convicted and discharged in court for giving those false details.

A constable took Miller by the arm and told him he was under arrest for breaching bail.

There was a struggle before both men fell to the ground and another constable helped his colleague by trying to restrain Miller.

Miller broke free, struck the policewoman with his fist and ran away.

On May 15, Miller was walking along Wainui Road when he was spotted by police.

He was found in the lounge of a house, subdued, and taken into custody.

Judge Field said the assault with a weapon charge, committed on October 6, was a strange case.

Miller argued with a friend and hit her in the head with a screwdriver.

The following day, Miller pulled her hair and aggravated the head injury inflicted the previous day and caused it to bleed.

On February 7, Miller and others burgled a house taking items including an Xbox 360, watches and clothing.

Much of the property had sentimental value to the owner, who lived alone, and she wondered why Miller had burgled her.

Judge Field said Miller had many previous convictions but not many for burglary. The last burglary was committed in 2008 but there had been other burglaries before then.

Counsel Chris Twigley said Miller claimed to have made accidental contact with the policewoman.

Property taken in the burglary had been returned.

Miller accepted he had to change and knew imprisonment was inevitable.

He had written a letter of remorse and had strong family support.

Judge Field asked where the family’s support had been when Miller was offending.

Miller had been on the run for some time, said Mr Twigley. He had committed many offences in a short period of time and appeared to be affected by alcohol.

Miller’s family had realised the seriousness of the situation and “bonded together to support him,” said Mr Twigley.