A man who broke a police officer’s wrist during a violent struggle has been jailed for 12 months.

Stephen Lawson, 32, lashed out after he refused to leave his girlfriend’s house because it was a cold winter night and he had nowhere to go.

He punched two officers in the head and in the fracas PC Tom Knight suffered a fractured wrist.

PC Donna Hyde, who was forcefully pushed and hit, also needed hospital treatment.

At Lewes Crown Court, Lawson, of Cromarty Walk, Eastbourne, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and assaulting a police officer.

Ryan Richter, prosecuting, told the court Lawson’s girlfriend called the police at 1am on January 12 this year because she wanted him to leave her home in Henist Close.

He refused to go despite repeated warnings he would be arrested.

When the officers took hold of him he became violent and they used Captor spray on him.

Mr Richter said: “That had little effect. There was a violent struggle. He resisted any attempt to calm him down.”

Eventually he was taken the floor and other officers arrived to help get him under control.

The court was told Lawson has more than 70 previous convictions, including for offences of robbery and assaulting a police officer.

Paul Walker, defending, said Lawson felt remorse and regret. He said his partner gave birth to his first child on Monday.

He said Lawson hoped to become an artist. He said: “He is a talented man and hopes his career in the art world is going to take off.”

Sentencing Lawson, Judge Richard Brown said: “Police officers have a very difficult job to perform and are entitled to any protection the courts can give them. I am afraid anyone who injures a police officer must expect a prison sentence.”