A HEROIC policewoman risked her life to save a drunken criminal from plunging to his death from a fifth-floor balcony at a block of flats.

Now he has admitted in a letter to her: "I owe my life to you."

Steven Sanders, who had just been released from prison, wrestled with WPc Julia Veal for a terrifying six minutes.

At one point Sanders, who was high on drink and drugs and clinging to the outside of the balcony, tried to force the officer down over the side with him. But the WPc managed to keep pulling him back until officers rushed to her aid.

Details of the dramatic life-or-death struggle in Southampton emerged at the city's Crown court. Sanders, 28, later presented a letter to WPc Veal, saying that he owed his life to her. He claimed he had written it soon after being taken into custody for the incident in which the brave officer came to his aid.

Responding to the incident, she tried to arrest bloodied Sanders when he ran onto the balcony and jumped over the other side of the rail.

Speaking after the case WPc Veal said: "I thought he was trying to kill himself or trying to get away.

"I went and grabbed hold of him and then I just felt this weight pulling me off the balcony."

The 32-year-old, based at Bitterne police station, added: "As far as I was concerned he made a serious attempt on my life."

Sanders admitted grievous bodily harm with intent to resist arrest and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

Sentencing him, Judge Michael Harington: "You were hanging from the balcony and the officer tried to pull you back.

"You grabbed her neck and shirt, very nearly pulling her over. That must have been a terrifying experience. She showed great courage in my opinion.

"She saved you from falling from that balcony which would have resulted in serious injury or death."

During the violent struggle WPc Veal sustained serious injuries to her back which have prevented her from working ever since.

Prosecuting Peter Glenser said: "It is fair to say that as a result of this her future career has something of a question mark over it."

James Bullen, defending, said Sanders had an unhappy childhood leaving home aged 12 because of an alcoholic mother and had been in trouble with the police ever since.

The judge also ordered Sanders to serve six weeks in jail for a previous offence and spoke of his "appalling criminal record".

Speaking afterwards WPc Veal said: "I feel relieved that this case has come to an end."

Sergeant Bev Bridgwater said: "WPc Veal showed outstanding bravery in risking her life responding to this incident, without waiting for back up."