Two thugs who were in a 150-strong mob that pelted two police officers with bottles and beer cans on a cricket ground have avoided being locked up.

But a judge told Jamie Heslop and Joshua Carey if they had any "self-respect or dignity" they would be ashamed of themselves.

Maidstone Crown Court heard two PCs were faced with "mob mentality" while dealing with rowdy youths in Sevenoaks on the evening of Saturday, April 30 last year.

They started to confiscate alcohol from underage drinkers but were subjected to abuse from the crowd.

“What began as a social event became increasingly abusive and aggressive,” said prosecutor Don Ramble.

PC James Hales and PC Edward Moore were surrounded at The Vine as they tried to arrest violent Heslop - branded a lout by Judge Jeremy Carey.

Because the crowd doubled from about 75, they put out a “Mayday call” for assistance.

But because of a shift change at the time the officers were left to deal with the disturbance for at least 30 minutes on their own, apart from a community support officer who arrived on the scene.

PC Hales admitted he felt scared as it degenerated into what he described as “carnage”.

He and PC Moore were on their knees, having pinned Heslop to the ground as others gathered around them.

The officers used the entire contents of their Pava sprays after PC Hales felt a blow to the back of his head.

The officers managed to get Heslop out onto the road, but a gang of youths followed and continued to throw bottles and cans.

The two officers retreated further down the street until reinforcements arrived.

PC Moore suffered a minor injury to his shin.

The PCSO had a cut to his head from being hit by a bottle.

Carey was not involved in any violence but was sprayed by the officers and became abusive as he tried to free Heslop.

Part-time groundsman and fencer Heslop, now aged 21, of Montgomery Road, Tunbridge Wells, and refuse collector Carey, now 22, of Good Stations Road, Tunbridge Wells, admitted affray on the day their trial.

Judge Carey said he was “just prepared” to impose suspended sentences.

Heslop was given five months suspended for 15 months and ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work.

He will be on a tagged three-month curfew from 8.30pm to 5.30am.

Carey was sentenced to four months suspended for 15 months and ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work.

He will be on a tagged two-month curfew from 8pm to 5.30am.

When passing sentence, Judge Carey criticised the public’s “contradictory” attitudes to the police in general.

“When there is a domestic incident, who gets called - the police,” he said.

“When there is a murder, a killing or a severe incident in a nightclub or outside it, who gets called - the police.

“Who has to deal with the mess, the emotional trauma and all the unpredictable nature of street-running violence - the police. And who gets the credit - not the police.

“Who gets the blame so often - the police. Who gets the abuse and disrespect of the public, so often with vile descriptions - the police.

“So it is that judges will reflect the fact that police officers doing their duty deserve protection and those who interfere with them doing their duty deserve to be punished.”