A policeman spent six weeks in hospital after a colleague crashed their patrol car on the way to answer a 999 call, a court heard today.

PC Sean Allman, 38, of The Close, Brighton, appeared at Lewes Crown Court today to deny a charge of dangerous driving.

He is accused of driving a Volvo estate car, with acting sergeant John Burgess in the passenger seat, on to the wrong side of a carriageway on August 5, last year.

The car hit a central reservation kerb, careered out of control and ploughed into St Catherine's Lodge Hotel, at the corner of Medina Villas, Hove, the court heard.

Mr Burgess, 48, who has no memory of the accident, suffered injuries including a fractured pelvis and cuts to his head and arms.

Richard Barton, prosecuting, said: "We don't know why the car collided with the central reservation and we may never know. This was either a misguided decision on the part of the officer to return to the correct side of the road and he didn't see the kerb or it was a misjudgment on his part and he just simply steered into the middle of the road."

The car had overtaken another police vehicle driven by PC Colin Richardson, also en route to a 999 call.

Witnesses said Allman's car was travelling at speeds of 70-80mph, Mr Barton said.

Both Allman and Mr Burgess were experienced Class 1 drivers based at Shoreham.

Mr Burgess, who was in the traffic division for 15 years, said of the decision to go on to the wrong side of the road: "Like many things you decide instantly. If you hold back. conditions will change."

Mr Richardson told the court conditions were warm and dry on the night of the crash.

The case continues.