A BURNLEY man who attacked his parents on Christmas Day – then ran over a police officer who had come to their aid – has been jailed for 13-and-a-half years.

Police chiefs have condemned John Kirk, 31, after he ran amok at his parents’ home on Merseyside during the festivities, leaving both his parents and the officer with injuries.

Kirk, of Dugdale Road, Burnley, admitted assaulting his parents, causing criminal damage and the attempted wounding of the police officer on December 25 last year.

Police said officers were alerted to a domestic incident at the home of Kirk’s parents in St Helens, during Christmas Day celebrations.

And when a policeman responded to a 999 call, Kirk attacked him then drove his car over him.

Chief Supt Louise Harrison, the injured officer’s section commander, confirmed that her constable still required treatment because of the incident.

She said: “The sentence of John Kirk reflects the serious nature of the assault and how seriously the courts take this type of incident.

“Kirk’s actions that day not only ruined a Christmas celebration for his own family, but left his parents injured on what should have been a happy day. As well as the hurt he caused to his own family, Kirk also assaulted and then proceeded to use his own car to drive over the responding police officer, causing damage to both legs, injuries that still require treatment.

“The attack on the officer came without any provocation or warning and it’s only by sheer luck the officer wasn’t more seriously injured.”

Kirk, who was sentenced for the offences at Liverpool Crown Court, will not be eligible for parole before 2022.

Chief Supt Harrison added: “I would like to thank the investigation team and his colleagues for their professional response and support they have provided, not only in bringing this case to court but also in helping their colleague on the road to recovery.

“This incident shows the dangers our officers face day in day out and how they potentially risk their own safety at every job they respond to, to keep the communities of Merseyside safe.

“I’m hoping that this sentence gives all of Kirk’s victims, including the officer, some sense of justice.”