A THIRD woman has been sentenced after a "raucous" house party during lockdown descended into violence.

Officers called to a block of flats in Eastbourne in April were faced with "blaring noise and drunk partygoers".

Despite Britain being in the height of the coronavirus lockdown - and mass gatherings banned - more than 10 people attended the party, a court heard.

When police tried to break up the gathering, they were faced with threats and violence, with one woman telling an officer: "I have got corona, watch out."

Nicole Stonestreet, 21, was handed a suspended sentence at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to assaulting an emergency worker.

Millie Robinson and Bayleigh Meadows, both 21, were jailed for their part in the fracas last month.

Prosecutor Michael Tanney said the "somewhat raucous party" took place on April 8 in a block of flats in the East Sussex town.

He described the violent incident - which was captured on dramatic police bodycam footage - as a "graphic and aggressive episode".

At a hearing at the same court last month, a judge heard how Robinson turned to one of the officers and pursed her lips as if she was going to spit at him, saying: "I have got corona, watch out."

Meadows had picked up a toilet roll holder that had a stone base and launched it at one of the officers, striking him in the head.

Mr Tanney said at today's hearing that Stonestreet played a "subordinate" role in the fray, but still punched one of the officers as well as pushing and pulling him.

Her defence barrister James Hay said: "She became involved in an incident that she should not have had a role in whatsoever, and for that she is deeply sorry."

Sentencing her, Judge Stephen Mooney said she came within "an absolute whisker" of going to prison.

He said: "The only reason I can see is you were trying to allow your friend to escape.

"Police officers are human beings, they have feelings and they are affected by what is done to them.

"You should be thoroughly, thoroughly ashamed of yourself."

Stonestreet, of Seaside in Eastbourne, was jailed for four months, suspended for 18 months.

At a previous hearing:

- Robinson, of Edgeland Terrace, was jailed for six months after pleading guilty to two charges of assaulting an emergency worker.

- Meadows, of Lottbridge Drive was jailed for 12 months, after pleading guilty to one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.