An off-duty policeman was threatened with a razor when he stepped in to help two sisters during an attack.

Detective Constable Ryan Hall said he was “exceptionally afraid” when he was confronted by Richard Powell, who repeatedly lunged at him with the blade.

Powell punched Brooke Georgiou after she ended their six-week relationship and beat her sister, Kylie George, at their home in York Road, Hove.

He threatened self-harm if his exgirlfriend did not agree to stay with him and cut himself in front of her.

Brighton Magistrates’ Court was told on Monday that Metropolitan Police officer DC Hall heard the screams of the “extremely terrified” women and found Powell in an upstairs bedroom on August 21.

Powell, 40, swore and taunted the officer before trying to attack him.

In a statement read out in court DC Hall said: “I could not see what he had in his hand and he completely had his fist around the object. I thought he was holding a razor blade or a knife. I was exceptionally afraid I was going to receive a very serious injury.”

Powell chased the officer outside before running off.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating on the sisters and one count of common assault.

Paul Kent, defending, said Powell was sorry for the incident.

Powell, of North Road, Brighton, was given a 16-week suspended sentence and was ordered not to enter York Road for two years. He was also ordered to pay £50 in compensation to DC Hall.