AN axe-wielding reveller faces jail after being found guilty of attempting to harm a policeman.

Mandeep Singh Bhangal was one of a number of people involved in a fight outside a New Year's Eve party at Picketts Lock.

Inner London Crown Court heard how Bhangal, from Grays in Essex, was one of about 1,000 revellers attending the Mauritian event when police were called after being told someone had been stabbed.

Tim Devlin, prosecuting, said that when the policeman went to the main entrance with a colleague he was 'confronted by three men'.

He said that Bhangal was being restrained by two men as he came towards the officer with the axe.

'The officers took out their batons and told him to put the axe down but Bhangal said 'I don't give a f***'.'

Mr Devlin added: 'He then swung the axe, missing the officer by inches and a struggle ensued.

'Bhangal was told that if he didn't stop he would be sprayed with CS gas ? which he was. If the axe had connected with the officer it would have caused very serious harm.'

Bhangal denied the charge.

The officer involved, PC Stephen Wilcox, told the court: 'Bhangal's face was contorted, as if in a rage, and he was trying to pull away. He was holding what I'd call a fireman's axe in his hand.

'I withdrew my baton and shouted 'put the axe down, put it down now'. He was two to three feet away from me.

'He came close to my chest and missed by about an inch, if that. I stepped in and grappled with him to stop him swinging again.'

The jury found Bhangal guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to an officer but was discharged on a second offence of affray.

He was remanded until June 16 for pre-sentence reports.