A policeman today relived the moment he was stabbed in the back as he answered an emergency call.

PC Gary Thompson received life-threatening wounds and his kidney was punctured in the attack, Lewes Crown Court heard.

He and PC John Gatland arrived at flats in Rock Close, Southwick, within a minute of a 999 call at 1am on June 29 last year.

As they entered a courtyard, three men allegedly involved in a disturbance at one of the flats, appeared from the darkness, the court heard.

PC Thompson said the three men - James Richards, his son Jonathan Richards and Shaun Kelly - tried to run away.

He said he grabbed James Richards, 35, and PC Gatland wrestled with Jonathan Richards, 18.

PC Thompson said: "I felt what I thought were punches in my back and I let go with my right hand and put it behind my back.

"I looked into his face as he punched me because I did not know what was going on.

"When I looked at my hand I could see blood and flesh hanging from my middle finger.

"I thought: 'My God, I am being stabbed'. I could not believe what was going on.

"I saw him move towards PC Gatland, who was struggling on the ground with the other man.

"I thought I had to warn John and I shouted something like 'John, knife' or 'John I have been stabbed'. I just wanted him to have a fair chance."

PC Thompson was taken to Worthing Hospital with two stab wounds to his back.

James Richards, of West Paddock Court, Northampton, denies attempting to murder PC Thompson and an alternative charge of wounding him with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

James Richards and Jonathan Richards, from Shoreham, and Kelly, of Church Green, Shoreham, deny conspiracy to assault Simon Cowley - in whose flat the disturbance is alleged to have taken place - and aggravated burglary.

Lynda Cole, 29, and Mandy Stephenson, 41, both of Church Green, Shoreham, deny conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

The trial continues.