But the gang of four hugged and high-fived one another outside a court in Armidale after they walked free last week, escaping jail.

The two men and two women were released on bonds and supervised orders after attacking police in Glen Innes in 2014, despite an Armidale District Court judge describing it as “utterly appalling behaviour towards police”.

Brother and sister Samuel Tobias Boney and Judith Dawn Boney, together with de facto couple Kasandra Daley and Brian Joseph Boney, were convicted for their part in the violent attack, which was triggered after a resident in Taylor St dialled triple-zero in the early hours of March 30.

Judge Jennifer English said Daley was “on the periphery”, like Brian, but Judith’s role in the affray was significant.

“She is the most culpable, along with her brother, Samuel,” she said.

“Once she started her assault ... she did not stop.”

Two senior constables arrived at the home just after midnight before they were set upon by the group outside, along with a 17-year-old co-accused, who was also put on probation by the children’s court for his part.

Judge English said it was a “spontaneous” attack and “truly appalling conduct”, adding it “would have scared anyone nearby”.

“She was punched by Judith about eight to 10 times while trying to push away,” she said of the female officer.

The court heard the policewoman also had her jumper ripped, and had to have X-rays after her eye was swollen shut.

She suffered from blurred vision for close to three weeks, while her male colleague was also injured in the violent struggle.

According to the facts, Samuel kicked the male officer in the head and attempted to remove his gun, yelling “I’ll shoot you, c****, I’ll shoot you dogs.”

After the sustained attack, the court was told the officers “were outnumbered” and withdrew to the police station, and radioed for help.

Several officers were deployed from as far away as Tenterfield and Inverell and arrested the group, while the injured officers were treated for their injuries.

The group each spent just over 200 days in custody on remand while they awaited trial, before pleading guilty to a raft of offences in the days before their trial was due to start last month.

Judge English accepted the group was intoxicated at the time of the incident, but all remorseful and contrite, after they took the stand, with Samuel “clearly the instigator”.

“He takes full responsibility for his actions,” Judge English said in sentencing.

“He says it never should have happened.”

All four were convicted of affray and had charges of obstructing or resisting police taken into account, with Kasandra and Brian put on 12-month good behaviour bonds.

Judith and Samuel also had several charges of assaulting police placed on their record, and were ordered to be assessed to serve periods of 16 and 18 months respectively by way of intensive corrections orders.

“You, like your sister, are very intelligent. You can make something of your life, if you take this opportunity to turn your life around,” Judge English told Samuel.