A police officer accused of attacking guests at a Christmas party will have to wait until the new year for the result of court action against him.

Sergeant Leigh Hardwick, 41, a police officer for almost 20 years, has denied three charges of common assault at a trial at Brighton Magistrates Court.

After hearing four days of evidence, District Judge Ann Arnold ruled she will give her verdict on January 13.

Hardwick, of Furness Road, Eastbourne, was off-duty when he attended the party at the New Orleans restaurant, in Terminus Road, Eastbourne, in December last year.

A waitress, Marie Coad, said she was smacked in the face by Hardwick as he was pushed out of the door by a group of guests.