A GWENT police officer who was jailed for assaulting a professional boxer was yesterday forced to resign from his job.

Christopher Timmins (pictured) was sentenced to 28 days in September for the unprovoked attack on former champion boxer Bradley Pryce in Newport town centre. His appeal against conviction and sentence failed.

Deputy Chief Constable at Gwent Police, Bryan Davies, said Timmins appeared before a misconduct hearing at police headquarters yesterday in relation to his conviction at Newport magistrates on April 11, this year.

He said: "PC Timmins was required to resign. There is no further comment to be made." A Gwent Police spokesman said officers like Timmins who are "required to resign" have their pension suspended until they are 65.

Timmins attacked Mr Pryce, of Cwmcarn, after he spotted him at Newport bus station throwing a carton of chips at a group of people, one of whom was being arrested.

He chased Mr Pryce and caught up with him on Stow Hill where he punched and kicked him. As Mr Pryce offered no resistance he was caught in a headlock, and when he was released he slumped to the ground shouting "help" and calling for the police. Three police officers witnessed the incident.

Timmins, aged 29, of New Street, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, was sentenced by Recorder John Griffith Williams, QC, who described the attack as "unwarranted and unprovoked" and "an act of temper".

His victim, 20-year-old Mr Pryce, is the WBO Inter-continental lightweight champion and is trained by Enzo Calzaghe, father of WBO super-middleweight Joe. Mr Pryce told the Argus after the trial: "I'm glad I didn't retaliate, otherwise it would be me going to prison."

Timmins' police pension will not be affected but he will not be able to collect it until he is 65.

Timmins' conviction followed an investigation by the complaints and discipline department of Gwent Police. He was suspended on full pay during the investigation.

Police officers are not automatically dismissed if they have a criminal record and there is a discretion about whether to conduct misconduct proceedings depending on the severity of the crime.