A GUNMAN who blasted a policewoman with a sawn-off shotgun leaving her severely injured has been jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years in prison.

James Leslie, 39, shot Pc Suzanne Hudson, from Nelson, through the glass door of his flat in Leeds at point-blank range, leaving her with serious injuries to her neck and a shredded hand.

Yesterday Pc Hudson said she had always known that she 'wasn't going to be beaten by what she had gone through'.

She said: "The journey was harder than I ever anticipated but I'm back at work and I'm still working hard.

"To look at where I am today, it's hard to believe what I've had to endure and overcome in the last 18 months as I live with it every day and much of it is becoming a distant memory.

"There are constant reminders throughout daily life that bring that morning back to me and I have no doubt this will be the case for a while to come."

Pc Richard Whiteley, who was with Pc Hudson at the time, described in court how Leslie taunted the pair as his colleague lay injured.

The officer said Leslie then cycled off, laughing.

Mr Justice Lindblom, sentencing Leslie at Leeds Crown Court, said it was clear he suffered from a personality disorder and needed ongoing treatment.

He said he had to decide whether to give him a prison sentence or send him to a secure hospital.

The judge decided to give Leslie a prison sentence but added a provision that he should be treated first at Rampton special hospital and returned to prison when his treatment is complete.

He said: "She (Pc Hudson) was extremely unfortunate that her duty took her to your doorstep that night and extremely fortunate to survive being shot by you through that door at point-blank range with that shotgun."

The judge said to him: "You represent and you will continue to represent a significant risk to members of the public of serious harm.

"I'm entirely satisfied you are a dangerous offender".

Pc Hudson and Pc Whiteley both sat in court watching as Leslie was led from the glass-fronted dock.

The judge ruled the victim personal statements prepared by the two officers should not be read out in court.

But he noted that Pc Hudson's account demonstrated the 'dreadful effects' of the attack.

The judge said the officer, who is 5ft 2in and originally from Nelson, had returned to work but was still not in a front line role.

She had to have emergency surgery to repair her carotid artery and jugular vein after the attack.

The officer has also had five operations on her shattered right hand after 80 pellets were removed. She has still not regained full use of her hand, the court heard.

The judge said Pc Whiteley had described what happened to him as a 'horrific psychological experience he will never fully get over'.

He commended the two officers for their outstanding bravery saying: "Their courage and fortitude were, and continue to be, exemplary."

Leslie, 39, shot Pc Hudson as she and her colleague made routine inquiries about a neighbour dispute in Cardigan Road, Leeds, in December 2013.

Pc Whiteley grabbed his badly injured colleague and dragged her away from the flat and on to the main road.

Moments later, Leslie appeared on his bike from some bushes, still carrying the gun.

Pc Whiteley told the jury at Leslie's trial: "He said, 'do you want some more, you pussies?'

"He brought it (the gun) up to make it quite clear he had it.

"I thought he was going to use it again on us."

Leslie, of Cardigan Road, Headingley, was convicted of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life following a trial at Leeds Crown Court which finished a year ago.

The judge was also given details of how Leslie set light to his prison cell after he was arrested for the attack on the officers.

He also attacked one of the prison officers who entered his cell in protective clothing to fight the fire and restrain him.

Leslie was sentenced for attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, criminal damage, arson, common assault and possession of cannabis.