A police marksman who shot a suicidal escaped prisoner in the leg had been aiming for his chest.

Officers in the Special Operations Unit of Sussex Police are trained to shoot the upper chest area to instantly incapacitate the target, so members of the public and officers are protected.

But the man, who had climbed scaffolding on St Peter's Church, off Richmond Place, Brighton, was hit in the ankle.

The bullet went through his leg and out via his buttocks.

Detectives were last night still waiting to interview the man after he leaves hospital.

It is understood he had sent a text message to his girlfriend before the incident saying he was going to commit suicide in a blaze of glory.

Shortly before 1am on Friday he called police, saying he was wanted by them and was at the church with a gun.

Officers, including members of the force's tactical firearms unit, arrived at the scene and found the man perched on the east side of the building.

He fired several shots at officers, who responded with one. The man surrendered.

He was treated over the weekend for his injuries, which were not life threatening, and remained under police supervision.

The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) was called in on Friday.

It confirmed the man had absconded from prison, where he was serving a sentence for a serious violent crime.

Supt Colin Murray, of Kent Police, is leading the investigation and has visited the scene of the shooting.

Other officers from Kent Police are expected to continue their investigations in Brighton this week.

A PCA spokesman said: "The man is still in hospital. He will not be interviewed by officers until he is fully recovered and out of hospital."

He said the man was expected to stay in hospital for the next few days.

It was still unclear what type of gun he had.