Leon Lukins, 31, of Charlotte Street, Brighton, lashed out when four officers tried to arrest him in Western Street, Brighton, on 19 January on suspicion of breaking into a hairdressers.

He then sparked a siege situation when it was reported he was holding a man hostage on the city's Whitehawk Estate.

Lewes Crown Court heard how Pc Luise Tait, 30, suffered cuts and bruising after being attacked by Lukins when officers tried to arrest him at a flat in Sillwood Place.

Knife hostage

Lukins also attacked 31-year-old Pc Ian Upperton before fleeing through a window.

Officers were called late that night to a house in Whitehawk Estate, where Lukins was reported to be holding someone hostage with a knife.

Negotiators were brought in but the man left the house, unharmed and seemingly of his own accord, at 1100 GMT the next day and refused to make a complaint.

Lukins eventually gave himself up to police.

'Terrifying' experience

The court heard Lukins had admitted burglary, causing actual bodily harm to both Pc Tait and Pc Upperton and assaulting them.

He also admitted handling a stolen car in Eastern Terrace, Brighton, last May and several other offences.

Judge Anthony Scott-Gall told him it must have been a "terrifying" and "traumatic" experience for the officers involved.

He sentenced Lukins to three years and 10 months in prison.