A policeman has denied punching three people at a Christmas party after one of them kissed his girlfriend.

Leigh Hardwick, a former armed counter-terrorist officer at Gatwick, has launched an appeal to clear his name after he was convicted of the assaults.

The 42-year-old admitted he could have hit people as he tried to ward off blows from others guests who he claimed attacked him.

Lewes Crown Court heard that the incident happened at the former Old Orleans Restaurant in Eastbourne town centre in December 2001.

Hardwick, of Furness Road, Eastbourne, said: "If I did hit anyone, it was in self-defence as I waved my arms about my head to ward off blows."

Seconds earlier Hardwick had objected to reveller Patrick Marten kissing his girlfriend goodbye as they left the party.

Hardwick said: "He took her face in both hands and kissed her. She had told me earlier that she was not happy with him.

"It seemed to me that his attentions were not wanted. I told him to put her down. He turned and grinned in a sarcastic way and then kissed her again."

Hardwick said he remembered Mr Marten coming rapidly towards him and then felt a blow to his face.

He said he did not see who threw the punch which knocked him backwards so that he fell on his hands and knees.

Hardwick said he then felt a number of blows to his head which he thought were from more than one person.

The policeman earlier told the appeal hearing that another guest had called his girlfriend a slapper. He said the same man had crudely told him he wanted to sleep with her.

Hardwick, who had qualified as a detective sergeant, was suspended last August pending the outcome of the inquiry.

The hearing continues.