A police officer who erupted in fury when a man kissed his girlfriend on the cheek at a Christmas party was today found guilty of a series of assaults.

Sergeant Leigh Hardwick, 41, an officer for almost 20 years, was convicted of assaulting two party guests and a waitress after his claims of self-defence were rejected by a judge.

Hardwick, of Furness Road, Eastbourne, was off duty when he and his girlfriend attended the party in the New Orleans restaurant in Eastbourne in December 2001.

Trouble broke out when Hardwick objected to guest Patrick Marten giving her a "European-style" goodbye kiss on each cheek.

The court heard Hardwick told Mr Marten: "You and me outside now" before punching him, giving him a black eye.

The policeman continued to rain blows on Mr Marten as he lay on the ground before hitting another guest, Jeremy Hopwood, who was trying to stop the attack.

As other guests tried to manhandle Hardwick out of the restaurant, tables and chairs were pushed around and Hardwick's girlfriend, who was begging him to stop, was thrown against the wall.

Waitress Maria Coad asked Hardwick to leave but he struck her in the face with his palm.

Ms Coad said she had earlier been mocked by the officer about being Australian and a waitress, claiming he told her: "You are not going to amount to anything".

Hardwick denied three charges of common assault and was tried at Brighton magistrates' court in December.

District Judge Ann Arnold delivered her verdict this morning, saying she was satisfied Hardwick was the aggressor and not acting in self-defence.

Hardwick, who sustained injuries to his head, hand and wrist, maintained he acted in self-defence but the court heard he refused to answer questions in his first police interview.

Judge Arnold said he could reasonably have been expected to mention the facts during that interview and the only sensible explanation of his failure to do so was he had no answer at the time, or none that would stand up to scrutiny.

Sentencing was adjourned until February 21.