A convicted burglar is being given legal aid to sue Sussex Police after officers sent him a Valentine's Day card.

When Gary Williams received the card from officers in Brighton last year, his girlfriend thought it was from another woman and threw an ashtray at him.

Williams had just been released from prison after serving a 13-month sentence for burglary.

The 26-year-old is now seeking a judicial review against Sussex Police Chief Constable Ken Jones.

A hearing date at the High Court in London has been set for February 13.

Williams is claiming unspecified damages from the force, arguing the card was malicious and caused him distress.

Officers in Brighton sent out ten cards to criminals last year, complete with a lipstick "kiss" from a female crime analyst.

At the time officers said they were meant to be a light-hearted warning.

The card contained a poem:

Will you be my Valentine?

I'm hoping we can meet We have a cosy cell Prepared here at John Street Just continue with your lawbreaking And we can guarantee A ride in a police car And a lack of liberty.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "I know it seems like justice gone mad but it's true. We are being sued over this.

"Sussex was merely following a national intelligence model which recommended using publicity and innovative ways of dissuading people from committing crimes.

"Other forces used Christmas cards so we thought we'd use Valentine's."

Speaking last year, Superintendent Peter Coll, of Brighton police, said: "I'm afraid the lines in the cards would not sustain literary scrutiny.

"The authors are more talented as police analysts and officers than poets.

"This is simply a light-hearted way of letting our targets know we are watching them."

But solicitor Seval Javit, representing Williams at the High Court, said: "We will be arguing it was completely inappropriate of the police to send out these cards. We have not set an amount for compensation.

"Mr Williams is receiving a certain amount of legal aid to cover the action."

Brighton Labour MP Des Turner said: "The stunt was tasteless and stupid.

"Even if it was meant to be light-hearted, I don't approve."

Williams, formerly of Newick Road, Brighton, is now believed to be living in Kent.

He has a number of previous convictions.