A police sergeant has been fined after his patrol car hit an eight-year-old boy on a zebra crossing as he responded to a 999 call.

Paul Beazer, 36, pleaded guilty at Eastbourne Magistrates' Court to careless driving.

The court heard Beazer was responding to a report that two men were fighting with sticks on June 19 last year.

He had the Toyota Avensis's blue lights and sirens on and slowed down to around 30mph as he reached the zebra crossing in London Road, St Leonards.

The court heard his path across the crossing was blocked for a few moments until a car pulled over to allow him through.

Beazer said: "As I pulled out to go across the crossing I noticed the child and we made eye contact.

"He got to the edge of the pavement and stopped. As he had seen me I felt it was safe to proceed to cross."

The court heard the boy suddenly started sprinting.

Witness Elizabeth Harvey said: "As soon as the boy took his first step from the kerb I started swearing because I knew that he wouldn't be able to make it across."

Beazer said he braked lightly and steered to avoid the youngster but could not avoid hitting him at about 20mph.

At first Beazer, based at Bexhill, thought he had missed the boy until he looked in his rear-view mirror and saw him sprawled on the crossing.

Adrian Turner, prosecuting, said Beazer should have slowed down to take account of the risks.

Mr Turner said: "One has sympathy for him and others involved but one has to say that a risk could have been recognised."

Father-of-four Beazer, an officer for six years who was poised to join the Special Operations Unit, said he was "distraught" by the incident, which left him needing counselling.

He said: "I think I did everything I could at that time to be safe but, in hindsight, stopping and allowing the boy to cross would have been the only way to be fully safe."

Grant Vanstone, defending, said his client faced being disciplined by his force, before adding: "His career has been considerably affected by this."

The youngster, who was unaccompanied, had since made a full recovery.

Beazer was fined £100 and ordered to pay £35 costs. His licence will not be endorsed.