TWO brothers and their cousin were jailed for nine months today FRIDAY after a court heard how a family reunion ended in violence.

Paul and Liam Murtagh and David Benniman lashed out at police officers who had been called to a fight at The Wagon at Hale pub in Chatham in October last year.

One officer later made a statement to say it was one of the worst assaults he had suffered during his seven-year career.

The trio had got together for what was described as a "family occasion" following the death of Benniman's mum earlier that year.

When the police officers arrived at the pub the fight had already ended, Maidstone Crown Court heard. But they spotted the defendants covered in blood nearby.

Ben Conlon, prosecuting, said the first to be punched by 25-year-old Benniman was PC Derek McLaughlin. PC Barry Rudden then intervened, only to be punched in the stomach. Benniman then threw more punches at both officers.

Then Paul Murtagh, 26, of Capstone Road, Chatham, started to verbally abuse PC McLaughlin before striking him a number of times in the face. The officer was also punched in the head by Liam Murtagh, 25, who then struck PC Harjinder Sandhu as he tried to arrest him.

The injuries sustained by the three officers included bruising, swelling and abrasions.

All three denied affray but were found guilty by Medway magistrates. The case was then committed to the crown court for sentencing.

Madeleine Woolfe, defending all three, said they had suffered a number of tragedies. Benniman's mum had died and their grandmother had Alzheimer's.

The court heard that both Benniman, of Albion Road, Chatham, and Liam Murtagh, of Silverweed Road, Chatham, would lose their jobs if sent to prison.

Jailing them for nine months recorder Harry Turcan said he saw no reason to distinguish between them.

He added: "You jointly took part in a wholly unprovoked attack on police officers who were initially trying to help you. One officer noted that this was about as violent and unpleasant an incident as he could recall."