A DOCK officer was badly beaten and bitten by a defendant who dragged him towards the cells underneath Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Police rushed to the Stafford Road law courts after the attack was reported just before the lunchtime break.

Magistrates were still sitting at the time of the “sustained” assault, and it is believed the members of the bench heard the incident in its entirety.

It is believed that the defendant had been brought into the court from the cells, and was in a locked dock with the member of staff shortly before the attack began.

A source at the court, who didn’t want to be named, said the sounds of the “horrific” assault “echoed” in the room.

The dock officer was taken to hospital with injuries to his face.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said officers were called at around 12.30pm.

“The victim was taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and treated for injuries, and police are making enquiries,” she added.

Security at the court is provided by contractor GEOAmey, which in 2011 won a series of contacts from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) provide prison escort and custody services across England and Wales.

Prisoners must be escorted in line with the MoJ’s National Security Framework.

A single custody officer can escort a prisoner between cells, and to the court and the dock.

Adrian Axtell, national officer at the justice services union Community said: “This attack should serve as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by workers in the justice sector, where too often they are victims of violent abuse.

“There must of course be a full investigation into this incident, but we also need wider reform that sees safety standards improved across the sector.

“Community will be seeking an urgent meeting with GEOAmey to ensure that appropriate action is taken to ensure we don’t see a repeat of this shocking incident.”