Thug who kung fu kicked female police officer into the path of an oncoming bus ...

Thugs who could have killed a female officer who was fly-kicked into the path of a moving bus have been jailed for more than five years.

Footage of Kersan Euell, 20, and Martin Payne, 19, launching a violent assault on two officers in Merton, south west London, shortly before 8pm on November 17, went viral last year.

The CCTV showed how they battered the uniformed officers with Euell kicking PC Lorraine McGinty in the back of the head and fracturing one of PC John Collins ribs after they pulled over a BMW in a routine check.

Euell claimed he was acting in self defence as the brave officers had 'exceeded their authority' in trying to detain his friend.

Both men initially denied the assault, while Euell denied even being there, claiming he was at his grandmother's birthday party.

Footage from PC McGinty's body worn camera was shown at Kingston Crown Court.

After the officer was fly-kicked she lay moaning on the ground unable to get up for a minute.

In her victim impact statement she said she thought her colleague might be being stabbed.

PC Collins suffered a fractured rib while he tried to detain Payne, which led to three hospital visits and a chest infection.

Kursan Euell, left, and Martin Payne, right, have admitted ABH against two police officers after assaulting them in Wimbledon last month when they pulled over their BMW on a routine stop

Kursan Euell, left, and Martin Payne, right, have admitted ABH against two police officers after assaulting them in Wimbledon last month when they pulled over their BMW on a routine stop

The officer was kicked into the path of a moving bus. She holds her head as the vehicle comes close to her body

The officer was kicked into the path of a moving bus. She holds her head as the vehicle comes close to her body

The moment the officer was kicked in the head was caught on CCTV and went viral, last year 

The moment the officer was kicked in the head was caught on CCTV and went viral, last year 

The driver Payne, of New Malden, south west London, admitted ABH against PC Collins as well as driving without insurance and a licence during the incident.

He was jailed for two years and nine months while Euell was jailed for three years and six months.

Euell, of Catford, south east London, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH).

The female officer, who is a mother, did not return to work for more than a month after being attacked by Euell and says she is now considering early retirement. 

Prosecutor Stephen Apted told Kingston Crown Court: 'At about 7.50pm in the evening PC Collins and PC McGinty were carrying out a routine stop on a BMW motor vehicle in the Merton Area.

'There has been no insurance for that motor vehicle.

'It contained three people, Mr Payne was the driver, Mr Euell was a rear seat passenger. The third person has not yet been identified.

'Mr Payne got out of the vehicle while speaking with PC McGinty who had turned on her body worn camera.

'Mr Payne was vague and failed to give his name to PC McGinty.

'Mr Payne then tried suddenly to run off, he was immediately restrained by PC Collins and a violent struggle ensued.

'During the course of this struggle the offficer was punched and kicked by Mr Payne while PC McGinty tried to deploy CS spray.

'As PC McGinty tried to help her colleague one of the men can be heard saying 'get off, I will shank you'.'

A man in a crash helmet ran over to the scene to help the officers as two of their attackers ran away in Merton, London 

A man in a crash helmet ran over to the scene to help the officers as two of their attackers ran away in Merton, London 

Mr Apted said: 'Mr Payne shouted 'don't leave me'.

'Mr Euell returned and performed a fly-kick on PC McGinty, kicking her to the ground, she narrowly misses a passing bus and wounded her head.'

Euell and the other man ran off.

Mr Apted said: 'PC McGinty was able to struggle to her feet and with the assistance of passing members of the public she was able to overpower Mr Payne.'

Payne was arrested at the scene and Euell was arrested three days later hiding under the bed at his girlfriend's house. 

Mr Apted read out part of PC Collins' victim statement in court: 'Due to the injuries I sustained I struggled to sleep for two weeks.

'I struggled with day to day activities for seven weeks.

'This prevented me from taking part in activities in the lead up to a wedding and over Christmas.

'During this time I have had to attend hospital three different hospitals relating to internal injuries.'

He said he runs marathons and will not longer be able to do so this year, adding: 'They have ruined my race plans for

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