I couldn't have been nicked by a nicer copper! (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

I couldn't have been nicked by a nicer copper!

8:10am Thursday 22nd March 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

A man who has fallen foul of the law on a number of occasions has donated £1,000 to the local bobby who lost his leg in a motorbike accident.

Bertie York has been arrested by PC Martin Miles three times but he says you could not meet a nicer police officer.

So when he heard the 48-year-old dad-of-two had been in an horrific motorcycle crash he wanted to help in some way.

Mr York, who is landlord of the Fishes pub in Swindon Street, Highworth, made the generous donation to the fund set up in support of the popular PC.

And he is not the only person PC Miles has arrested who has contributed, said Pat Willis, chairman of the Martin Miles Appeal Funds.

Mr York, a 38-year-old father-of-three, said: "I first met him when he arrested me and he is a lovely, lovely chap.

“I first met him when he arrested me and he is a lovely, lovely chap. We have had dealings but always in such a nice way that I wanted to give this money."

Bertie York

"We have had dealings but always in such a nice way that I wanted to give this money."

PC Miles was injured while riding home along the B4019 towards the A419 when he was in collision with a 4x4 vehicle on February 22.

He has given nearly 30 years' service to the Swindon area and people in Highworth, where he was the community beat manager, have described him as the ideal local bobby.

Mr York, who was in the army before he took over the pub six months ago, said: "He knows everybody and he is just a thoroughly good chap.

"I don't normally like policemen because I am normally in trouble but PC Miles is very good."

PC Miles has been called out to arrest Mr York on a number of occasions for offences including drink driving.

"I was guilty and I hold my hand up," he said.

Their paths also crossed when Mr York chased a group of youths from outside his house with a baseball bat.

"There's been a few brushes but he couldn't have done it in a nicer way," Mr York said. "I respect him and that's why I wanted to give him the money.

"I have misbehaved but I have never been arrested in a nicer way."

Mr Willis said: "I do know of a couple of people that Martin has had dealings with in the past and arrested on more than one occasion and they have made quite substantial donations out of their own pockets," he said.

"There are people who have been on the wrong side of the law, and it's their own doing, but they have got nothing but respect for Martin and they have donated money."

Mr Willis saw PC Miles in hospital on Monday and he said: "He was brilliant. He is in really good spirits and doing really well.

"He was sat with his wife and two kids and it was really great to see him. He is recovering very well and fingers crossed he keeps going the way he is.

"He is looking well. We have just got to keep going with the appeal because he is facing some massive changes in his life."