A man with a history of violence was facing life in jail today for stabbing a police officer in the back with an 8in carving knife.

James Richards, 35, convicted at Lewes Crown Court of the attempted murder of PC Gary Thompson, was described by police as an "extremely dangerous man who would stop at nothing to prevent being caught".

Richards, of West Paddock Court, Northampton, plunged the knife into father-of-two PC Gary Thompson, as he attempted to arrest him as he fled the scene of a burglary in Rock Close, Southwick.

Speaking after the hearing, PC Thompson, who was left fighting for his life following the attack on June 29 last year, said: "I am very pleased with today's verdict. The last year has been a very distressing time for myself and my family.

"It was not easy to go back on patrol but I was determined not to let this incident beat me."

Judge Anthony Scott-Gall told Richards he would almost certainly be jailed for life due to his previous convictions for violent crime.

He described the injuries to PC Thompson as "terrible".

Richards was also convicted, together with his son Jonathan Richards, 18, of Wilmot Court, Shoreham, and Shaun Kelly, 18, of Church Green, Shoreham, of conspiring to cause actual bodily harm to Simon Cowley - the occupant of the flat where the burglary took place - and aggravated burglary.

Kelly's mother Mandy Stephenson, 41, and Lynda Cole, both of Church Green, Shoreham, were both convicted of perverting the course of justice, Stephenson by driving the male defendants from the scene minutes after the attack and Cole by driving them to London.

All the defendants had denied all the charges. The case was adjourned for sentencing until May 27 at Lewes.

All the defendants were given bail apart from James Richards, who was remanded in custody.