A thug who repeatedly kicked a woman police officer as a mob rampaged through the centre of Wolverhampton during the summer riots was celebrating his 21st birthday behind bars today.

Michael Frimpong was locked up for three years and four months at the city’s crown court yesterday.

Frimpong, who later handed himself in after a picture showing him involved in the disturbance was published in the Express & Star, lashed out at 5ft 3in Pc Sandra Price.

The court was told how Frimpong, pictured above in blue jeans and black hoodie, squaring up to police, of Bescot Road in Walsall, attacked Pc Price in Lichfield Street on August 9.

Prosecutor Miss Sarah Pratt told how after kicking the officer he went into Coral betting shop in Princess Street. His fingerprints were later found on one of the TV monitors and he admitted ripping a TV off the wall in the turf accountants, the court heard yesterday.

Frimpong then travelled by bus to Walsall where he was detained.

When he was searched by the officers they found a gold chain and earrings that still had the price tags on indicating they came from EV Beckett, a city centre jewellers in Queen Street, Wolverhampton that suffered £40,000 loss and damage during the riot.

Frimpong claimed to have been handed the jewellery by a man in the street and admitted handling stolen property. He also pleaded guilty to affray and burglary.