A JOBLESS man has been jailed for six years for a brutal assault on two job centre security guards.

Paul Renford, aged 44, unemployed of Ellenborough Road, North Cray, had pleaded guilty in July to causing GBH with intent to one security guard, two charges of actual bodily harm against the second guard and a police officer, and common assault against a second policeman.

A charge of possession of an offensive weapon was ordered to lay on file.

Last Friday (August 13) Renford appeared again at Woolwich Crown Court for sentencing.

The court heard how Renford had been banned from Bexleyheath Job Centre in Bexleyheath Broadway, in January this year because of his behaviour towards staff.

Despite the ban, he returned to the job centre on February 18 and was told he would no longer be receiving any benefits.

He left the centre, but returned 50 minutes later, armed with a knuckleduster.

Renford attacked one 40-year-old security guard knocking him unconscious, breaking his jaw in three places and tearing his inner eardrum.

He split the lip of the second guard, also aged 40, who required stitches in his wound.

Police were called, but when they arrived three minutes after the alarm was raised, Renford had left the scene.

A witness agreed to drive around Bexleyheath town centre with officers, to see if he could spot the attacker.

Renford was found near the clocktower in the Broadway, but when officers moved in to arrest him, he attacked them.

He kicked one officer so hard he left his footprint on the officer's face.

He tried to strangle the second officer.

Both suffered cuts and bruises but did not need to go to hospital.

He was eventually arrested and charged.

Detective Constable Kevin Holyoake from Bexley CID, who led the investigation said: “Renford was sentenced to six years in prison, hopefully this will help his victims feel safe knowing he is being kept off the streets."