A teen who repeatedly stabbed a plain clothes police officer after a stop and search will serve a minimum of six years in a youth offenders centre.

Alastair Gregson, 19, of Whitefield Avenue, Purley, stabbed PC Nigel Albuery four times after the 34-year-old officer had stopped him and friends in Bute Road on May 19 at about 9.45pm.

At Kingston Crown Court today, Judge Fergus Mitchell said he found Gregson’s lack of remorse, as detailed in his pre sentence report, “quite chilling”.

Judge Mitchell called him a “man of violence” and a “very dangerous person” after the court had heard he had also assaulted his ex-girlfriend with a concrete slab just five days earlier, despite being on bail for another violent offence.

Speaking on behalf of the prosecution, Stephen Apted read a statement from PC Albuery, married with a 14-year-old child, about the impact the assault has had on his life.

The statement said: “My life was turned upside down by the unprovoked actions of Mr Gregson when he tried to end my life.”

The court heard how PC Albuery had joined the force in 2004 and, together with his family, had begun to make plans for the future.

He said: “I was stabbed four times and it destroyed my confidence and upset all those plans.”

PC Albuery, who was present in court for the sentencing, needed counselling and said he was “apprehensive about suffering another injury or worse” when he went back to work.

Worse still, the brave officer had to confront his fears when he was on the front line during the recent disturbances in Croydon.

He said: “I was put into a situation I did not want to be in.

“I was very scared. It reduced me to tears as I got home to my wife.

“It felt like I was being attacked again.”

Sentencing, Judge Mitchell said: “Imagine what his wife goes through when he goes off on duty now.”

Defending, Peter Dahlson said Gregson had written a letter to PC Albuery showing his remorse.

He said there was no escaping the severity of Gregson’s actions but said the teen had “simply panicked” when stopped by PC Albuery that day.

He said: “He was stupidly carrying a knife for the first time in his life believing he might be attacked.”

He added Gregson wished to put the “appalling mistakes” behind him once and for all.

Gregson was sentenced to 10 years in a youth offending institute for wounding with intent PC Albuery and a further two years for assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

He must serve a minimum of six years, and when he is released will be on licence for the rest of his life.

He made no emotions as he was taken down, as his family wept in court.

Croydon Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Adrian Roberts said: "This was a completely unprovoked and savage attack on an officer conducting routine stop and search.

"Gregson clearly had no regard for PC Albuery’s life when he made the decision to stab him, not once but four times.

"The sentence Gregson received today will see him locked up behind bars for a long time which is where he belongs.”