A man has been jailed for pointing an air rifle at police officers and threatening to shoot them.

Nathan Martin loaded the weapon and said he would shoot the officers after they were called to a disturbance at the home of his ex-girlfriend.

The 26-year-old, of no fixed address, was the subject of a harassment order for previous distress he had caused to his former partner.

When he turned up at the flat in Greenwich Road in Hailsham, on October 24 police officers were called.

His former partner was not at her flat but two PCs arrived at the home and rang the buzzer.

Martin came down the stairs of the home, took a rifle out of a case, loaded it and pointed it at the officers.

They backed off as he walked out of the address aiming the rifle at them and Martin managed to escape.

Officers then searched the area and he handed himself in.

He was convicted of causing criminal damage, harassment, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, using a firearm to resist arrest and having an air weapon when banned when he appeared at Lewes Crown Court and was jailed for six years on 29 January.

Sergeant Simon Kind said: "This incident shows the dangers that officers can face when they go out on duty.

"The two officers involved saw Martin load the gun but could not guess whether he would shoot them or not to try to escape.

"The conviction means a violent and dangerous man is off the streets and that Sussex is even safer today."

Anyone with information about violent crime should call 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

 

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