The jury in the trial of a man accused of attempting to murder a police officer is expected to retire to consider its verdict today.

PC Gary Thompson was stabbed twice in the back when he answered an emergency call to a disturbance at Rock Close, Southwick, in the early hours of June 29 last year.

James Richards, 35, of West Paddock Court, Northampton, denies attempted murder and an alternative charge of wounding the officer with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Richards stormed out of the dock on Wednesday and refused to take any further part in the trial.

It was alleged Richards went to the flat of Simon Cowley in Rock Close with his son Jonathan, 17, and Shaun Kelly, to recover cannabis stolen from Kelly.

Jonathan Richards, of Wilmot Court, Shoreham, and Kelly, of Church Green, Shoreham, deny conspiring to assault Mr Cowley and aggravated burglary.

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