A teenager has avoided jail despite leaving a female police officer needing emergency surgery and stitches in a “horrific” assault.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, punched Pc Maddie Hayes on the nose in September last year which forced the officer to take three months off work.

Leicestershire Police said the 24-year-old is still awaiting further surgery after the attack in Ashby-de-la-Zouch left her struggling to breathe properly through her nose.

On Monday, the teenage boy was sentenced to a 12-month community service order and ordered to pay £600 compensation at Leicester Magistrates’ Court.

At an earlier hearing he had pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

Pc Hayes was taken to Queens Hospital Burton where she was treated for a broken nose, a broken septum, a deep laceration and tear to the left side of her nose and nostril, significant swelling and bruising.

Her nose required emergency surgery and she also needed to have six internal stitches and 11 external stitches.

Pc Hayes also has exposed cartilage in her nostrils as a result of the injuries caused.

Commander for North West Leicestershire, Inspector Rich Jackson said: “This was a shocking and vicious attack on an officer doing her job to protect others. The photographs of our officer’s awful injuries chilled all who saw them.

“We acknowledge the court’s decision of a community order but we strongly hope the young man, who pleaded guilty, will choose to do more to atone for his crime and start over.

“Attacks on police officers are simply not acceptable. We must protect our protectors.

“Full support has been and remains in place for the police officer who has bravely shared her story to raise awareness of an issue which needs to be stopped.

“It is not acceptable for anyone to be attacked and assaulted in their job and we will not tolerate this happening to our officers.

“Action will be taken and we will ensure anyone who commits this offence is brought before the courts.”