Cop is left with horrific injuries after being 'struck several times with an AXE as he tried to arrest an armed man roaming the streets'
A police officer has been left with serious head injuries after a man he was handcuffing allegedly broke free and hit him on the head with an axe.
Police said they attempted to arrest a man they say was brandishing an axe in Cartwright in Sydney's west on Thursday 7 January at 9.10pm.
But as the officers tried to handcuff the alleged axe-wielder, he allegedly broke free and started racing towards a laneway.
A police officer has been seriously injured after a man he was putting in handcuffs broke free and allegedly struck him on the head with a long-handled axe multiple times (stock image)
When the officers caught up to the man he allegedly struck one of them in the head with the long-handled axe several times, causing painful gashes.
After being arrested, the man was taken to Liverpool hospital to treat a facial injury.
The man is facing five charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possession of a knife and escaping lawful custody.
He was refused bail and is appearing before Parramatta Local Court on Friday January 8.