The 18-year-old who attacked Taihape police officer Bruce Mellor on December 11 has been jailed for 8 years and 3 months.
Japhet Joseph Simiona earlier pleaded guilty to attempted murder, attempted arson of a motor vehicle and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
Constable Mellor was attacked from behind by Simiona with amachete.
Justice Dobson told the High Court at Wanganui it was a serious, cowardly, vicious attack and that it was only due to an indomitable human spirit that Mr Mellor actually survived.
At the time of the attack, Simiona was on bail and under 24-hour curfew for two burglaries and theft from a car in Feilding.
For full details of today's sentencing, see tomorrow's Wanganui Chronicle.
