A paramedic who was bitten by a drunken thug yesterday pleaded for more help to protect life-saving emergency crews.

Matthew Luker called on Judge Mary Jane Mowat to crackdown as his attacker was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

Daniel Howard, 39, of St Martin's Road, Rose Hill, bit Mr Luker and hit a police officer with a piece of glass during a drunken attack in October.

Mr Luker suffered a bite wound to his left arm - which is still scarred six months later - and has been forced to undergo blood tests.

He said: "It concerns me that it is only a matter of time before something like this happens again, not just to me but to others in the emergency services.

"I enjoy my job and would kindly ask you to help protect us."

Howard attacked Thames Valley Police officers Pc Holly-Jane Cannon and Pc Mark Allmond when they arrived at his home on October 29 last year, following a 999 call from his son.

He punched through a glass door panel and lunged at Pc Cannon with a shard of glass, cutting her on the chin. He continued to lash out and also injured Pc Allmond.

When two paramedics arrived he bit Mr Luker on the arm.

Howard pleaded guilty to the attack, despite telling the court he could remember nothing about the incident.

He escaped jail, but was handed a 20-month suspended prison sentence by the judge yesterday.

He was also ordered to carry out 250 hours community service and received a four month suspended sentence for assaulting two policemen.

Judge Jane Mowat said: "Being drunk, even uncharacteristically, is not a defence or an excuse for assaulting police officers in uniform.

"Nor is it an excuse for assaulting and seriously biting a paramedic that was there to assist.

"But taking into account the circumstances and your obvious regret, the sentence can be suspended."

Mr Luker told the court about the effect of the attack on his family and called for help in protecting 999 teams. He said: "The bite to my forearm has left obvious scar tissue that no one can fail to notice.

"This makes me very self-conscious in the company of others and I have had the difficulty in trying to explain the scar to my four-year-old daughter.

"I will have to undergo three blood tests.

"The third is to be completed in a month's time.

"These tests detect any hepatitis that may have been passed on.

He added: "As you can appreciate this has put considerable stress on me."

George Squire, security management specialist for the South Central Ambulance Trust said: "We're pleased with today's result because it is a result.

"We feel it's very important to send out the message to these sort of offenders that violence against NHS staff will not be tolerated.

"It's a real concern in the NHS and we're keen to let staff know that should the worst happen, people will be brought to book.

"It's totally unacceptable that people doing their job are subjected to violence."