Three men in their 20s received prison sentences on Tuesday for physically assaulting police officers who spotted them playing football against regulations during the first lockdown in April 2020.

Limassol criminal court sentenced the 28-year-old to two years in prison, the 27-year-old to 23 months and the 24-year-old to 21 months – after they were found guilty of charges ranging from causing bodily harm and violating the Covid restrictions to public insults.

The incident unfolded as the three men were found playing football at a futsal pitch and proceeded to shout and swear at the officers who were present.

The court further stated that two officers were attacked, one of them a woman who suffered fractures and had her mobile phone stolen – valued at €1,000.

In its ruling, the court reiterated that officers carrying out their duties are bearers of authority and the law. Efforts to disrupt those actions are extremely serious, it added.

It also reasoned that such actions are particularly concerning and require strict punishments to act as a deterrent.

The court considered certain mitigating circumstances such as the young age of the perpetrators, their previously clean criminal record and family considerations.