AN off duty police officer who was stabbed with a pair of pocket scissors as he struggled to apprehend a youth was praised for his actions by a judge yesterday.

At Teesside Crown Court, the 16-year-old admitted wounding Sergeant Philip Bromley on March 4.

Jim Withyman, prosecuting, told the court the officer had returned to his Hartlepool home at 11.30pm after an evening out with his wife.

He noticed that a car parked near his home had smoke coming from it and then saw a youth get out of the passenger door. Sgt Bromley gave chase but the youth escaped.

As the officer returned to the vehicle - which had been taken without the owner's consent - the defendant, who was 15 at the time, jumped out from behind a hedge shouting threats, then punched the sergeant before lunging at him with a pair of small folding scissors.

With blood running down his face, Sgt Bromley managed to restrain the youth until a police patrol arrived.

Defending the teenager, Robin Denny said he had admitted the charge at the first available opportunity and bitterly regretted the injuries he had caused to the officer.

Judge Les Spittle sentenced the youth to a community rehabilitation order for two years, with the conditions that he undergo a 60-day intensive supervision programme, and abides by a 7.30pm to 7am curfew for three months.

He also asked that Sergeant Bromley's actions be commended on record with the Chief Constable.