A GANG of thugs attacked a police officer like a “pack of animals” before threatening to burn his house down, a court was told.

Gang leader Preston Killoran, 20, rugby tackled the police constable in front of the baying mob in Hammond Drive, Newport, the court was told.

Killoran told the officer: “I will burn your house down, and don’t think that I won’t”

while his accomplice, Liam Slade, 22, told him: “Yes, we will”, Cardiff Crown Court was told.

The 10-strong group, including heroin dealer Aaron Nunes, 24, his brother Blane, 20, and two youths, were stopped after a colleague went to his rescue and pushed away the thugs.

Judge Neil Bidder ordered Killoran be locked up for eight months and three of the gang for 12 weeks each.

The two youths, aged 16 and 17, were ordered to complete 40 hours community service each.

Judge Bidder told them: “This is an example of pack behaviour.

“As a result of that you will keep getting arrested. It’s stupid.”

The two PCs were out on patrol to try to arrest drug dealers on January 7 when they were confronted by Killoran and the other gang members outside a house in Hammond Drive, the court heard.

Prosecutor Carl Harrison said the gang shouted at the officers then surrounded their van in an aggressive manner “like a pack of animals”.

Killoran and Slade stuck their heads against the van windowand Killoran told the police constable: “I’m going to make your life a mess”, the court was told.

The PC got out of the van to confront them but they formed a tight group with Killoran and Slade in front of them, Mr Harrison said.

The PC tried to arrest Killoran but Slade told the others to block the police officer.

Killoran rugby tackled the PC then the mob surrounded him and someone was heard to say: “Get him, get the copper”, Mr Harrison said.

Another police constable went to his rescue and Killoran fled in a car, narrowly avoiding a crash, the court was told.

Killoran, of Elgar Circle, Slade, of Ludlow Close, and Blane and Aaron Nunes, of Hammond Drive, all Newport, were locked up for 12 weeks each after pleading guilty to using threatening words and behaviour under Section 4 of the Public Order Act.

Two Newport youths were given 12-month youth rehabilitation orders including 40 hours of unpaid work after admitting the same charge.

Killoran was given an additional 20-week custodial sentence after pleading guilty to one count of common assault against a police officer. He was also banned from driving for a year after admitting dangerous driving on January 7.

Police recovered 3.8 grams of heroin belonging to Aaron Nunes as part of their investigation.

He was given a three-year custodial sentence, to run consecutively, after he admitted supplying a class A drug.

The two youths were given £15 surcharges and their adult co-defendants £25 surcharges, to be collected upon their release from custody.