Court told of 'wild' attack

Sergeant Leigh Hardwick, who was off duty at the time, is alleged to have lashed out at a waitress and two Christmas party guests in the New Orleans restaurant, Terminus Road, Eastbourne.

Waitress Marie Coad also says the officer mocked her before hitting her on the nose at the party last December.

Hardwick, 41, of Seaside Road, Eastbourne, has denied three charges of common assault.

Ms Coad told Brighton magistrates' court she saw Hardwick punch two people at the party, which was hosted by Equity Residential Lettings for clients and friends.

Hardwick, who was a client, had attended with his girlfriend.

The court heard trouble broke out at the end of the party after Hardwick objected to a guest, Patrick Marten, giving his girlfriend a goodbye kiss on the cheek.

Hardwick is accused of striking Mr Marten, giving him a black eye, and then hitting another guest, Jeremy Hopwood, who tried to stop the attack.

Ms Coad said tables and chairs were pushed around in the struggle and Hardwick's girlfriend was thrown against a wall. She said people were manhandling the officer to try to get him out of the restaurant when he struck her.

She said: "I had been hit in the face at my workplace. I didn't expect that from a customer."

Ms Coad said earlier Hardwick had been rude to her about being Australian and a waitress. She said he told her: "You are not going to amount to anything."

When Hardwick left, restaurant owner Matthew Buckley locked the door behind him and called the police. He said the officer's behaviour was aggressive and wild and that he was lashing out at people.

After the incident, Mr Buckley said he received a telephone call from Hardwick in which the officer said 'You shopped me' and swore at him.

The court has been told that Hardwick, who sustained injuries to his head, hand and wrist, denied assaulting anyone and says he acted in self-defence.

The trial was adjourned to restart on December 9.