A POLICE officer who bit her friend’s nose so hard during a fight the tip was left ‘hanging off’ has been jailed.

Judge Zoe Smith called Rebecca Barnett’s actions ‘appalling’ as she sentenced the former officer, who was sacked in April over the attack, to 22 months in prison at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

The 33-year-old, of Wood End, Banbury, who pleaded guilty to one count of grievous bodily harm without intent in February, had been at a youth football evening with her children on June 10 last year when she got into an argument with her friend, who was also there with her sons.

Prosecutor Corinne Bramwell outlined how Barnett had shoved the woman in Addison Road, Banbury, and eventually the pair had fell to the floor, with Barnett grabbing the 29-year-old's ears.

It was while on the floor that she bit the other woman's nose so hard the tip was left 'hanging off'.

A victim impact statement, read out in court, described the ongoing physical and psychological effects.

The mum-of-three described suffering from anxiety, depression and post traumatic stress disorder, including nightmares so severe she would ‘wake in the middle of the night crying.’

She added the assault had left her with scarring to the tip and side of her nose, as well as changing the shape of one nostril which made it more difficult to breathe and made her self conscious about her appearance and the sound of her voice.

Nadia Chbat, representing Barnett, said the mum-of-three, who has a newborn, was ‘utterly devastated’ by what she had done and it was a ‘momentary madness’.

Calling for any sentence to be suspended, she added Barnett in 'no way' sought to 'diminish the experience and difficulties' of her friend.

Ms Smith declared the attack ‘too serious’ for a suspended sentence.

Barnett was also ordered to pay £7,000 compensation,£1,200 in court costs and a restraining order was imposed.