A YOUNG dad with a penchant for attacking innocent police officers has failed in a Court of Appeal challenge to his latest prison sentence.

Michael Rendell, of Glebe Road, Didcot, was jailed for 15 months at Oxford Crown Court in February after admitting two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm and one common assault.

Drunk, the 23-year-old had punched and headbutted two police officers when they tried to arrest him following an incident at his girlfriend’s house in January.

The court heard he had flown into a rage, accusing his girlfriend of having an affair and their baby not being his, and threw something at her as she cradled the baby.

A struggle then ensued, during which Rendell put his hands around the throat of his mum, Debbie Rendell, before storming off outside.

Police found him drunk in his girlfriend’s car and, when they tried to put him in handcuffs, he snapped, punching and headbutting Pc Ross Duff. He was put into a police van to be calmed down, but responded by headbutting Pc Paul Lorenc.

Rejecting an appeal against his sentence, Mr Justice Beatson said Rendell already had a long list of convictions for violence, particularly against police officers.

Between the end of 2005 and July 2009, he had amassed four convictions for assaulting police officers and had others for attacks on civilians.