Knifeman yelled 'Allahu Akbar' before stabbing policeman in the head

Attack: PC Adnan Ali (right) and PC Pete Goulding were stabbed during a routine call out

A knifeman yelled 'Allahu Akbar' [God is great] before thrusting a blade into a policeman's head.

PC Adnan Ali, 28, was attacked by Dawan Ismail after the cop had attended a routine call following a report that a neighbour had been assaulted.

When police arrived at Ismail's flat, the 32-year-old went berserk with a knife,lashing out at PC Ali's head and stabbing his colleague PC Peter Goulding in the shoulder.

Ismail has now been sentenced to an indefinite hospital order by a court which heard he has mental health problems, the Manchester Evening News reports.

He was found guilty of attempted murder, causing GBH with intent and assault in a trial earlier this year, following the attacks on April 30 last year.

PC Ali spoke of his ordeal after yesterday's sentencing, where Judge David Stockdale QC commended the officers for their courage in the line of duty.

Both needed hospital treatment, but fortunately escaped life-threatening injury.

"We had been told there was a dispute between two neighbours and one had been punched in the face", PC Ali said.

"It was a routine call-out. We were not expecting any danger, but events escalated. "Ismail went from being the most calm and cooperative of people to attacking us with that knife. I was stabbed in the top of my head, my temple and the side of my neck. I thought I wasn't going to come out alive.

"We had no idea he had a knife on him until it was in his hand - and by then it was too late and he was on top of me.

"It was a terrifying experience. I thought I was going to die, he had abnormal strength.

"If there hadn't been two of us there, things might have been completely different."

PC Ali spent six months off work, is still receiving treatment for back and knee injuries sustained in the attack, suffers flashbacks and night terrors, and has undergone counselling.

Despite this, he is delighted to be back at work. "I couldn't wait to get back out there", he added.

"I just want to carry on responding to incidents, serving the community and protecting the public.

"My first day back I felt a real sense of pride to be putting my uniform on.

"I joined the police to help people and I know I'm ready to help people again."

Supt Jim Liggett said: "This case demonstrates the daily dangers faced by our officers when responding to incidents."