A POLICE officer feared he was going to be killed when a man, high on a mix of drink and lighter fuel, repeatedly tried to stab him with a kitchen knife.

PC Paul Jackson only escaped serious injury thanks to his protective vest and helmet which shielded him from most of the blows.

Durham Crown Court heard that PC Jackson and two female colleagues were also sprayed "flame-thrower-style" with ignited lighter fuel by Brian Williamson, while attempting to end a siege-type stand-off at his home.

Williamson, 30, who was involved in a similar incident, in which he threatened two women at knifepoint months earlier, was jailed yesterday for six years.

The latest incident arose after he returned to the home he shared with his parents, in Sherburn Village, near Durham, after drinking and while under the influence of lighter fuel.

Following telephone calls from his girlfriend and sister, a row developed with his parents and he repeatedly hit his father, leading his mother to call the police.

When officers arrived at the house, in Beech Road, Williamson threatened that he would kill the first one to step over the doorstep.

Euan Duff, prosecuting, said officers backed off for two-and-a-half hours until Williamson threatened to kill himself.

They then entered carrying protective shields and twice attempted to go up the stairs, but Williamson lunged at them, lashing out with the knife at PC Jackson, and spraying the ignited lighter fuel. He also threw household objects at them, including an iron, ironing board and type writer.

Mr Duff said: "Other officers were fearful for PC Jackson's life, but he didn't realise at first that a knife was being used. When he did realise, he was in genuine terror."

Mr Duff said although PC Jackson escaped serious injury, the attack had a profound effect on him and his approach to policing.

Williamson eventually gave himself up and when interviewed only had a limited recollection of the incident.

Peter Kilgour, mitigating, said Williamson, who admitted affray and attempted wounding with intent to resist lawful arrest, was, "highly agitated and heavily intoxicated" when the officers entered the house.

Last night, Police Federation Durham branch chairman Steve Smith said he was "absolutely delighted" at the sentence.

"The stiffer the sentence, the greater the deterrent to prevent other people using weapons to attack our police officers."