Policeman tells of being dragged by car (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Policeman tells of being dragged by car

8:41am Wednesday 23rd January 2008 in Swindon By Emily Walker

A POLICEMAN has told how he was dragged along a road from his moving patrol car as he tried to stop a man, suspected of robbing an elderly woman, from escaping.

PC Lee Mayhew told Bristol Crown Court that he had arrested Leonard Douglas on suspicion of robbing 87-year-old Edith Davidson, when Douglas tried to break free from his handcuffs in the back of the police car.

Douglas, 26, of Croft Road, has denied snatching Mrs Davidson's purse, then wriggling out of his handcuffs, and escaping the back of a police car, causing a crash on July 31 last year.

PC Mayhew said he handcuffed Douglas and sat him in the back seat of his single crewed police car, but Douglas tried to climb into the front seat on the way to Gablecross police station.

"We were on Great Western Way, near the Transfer Bridges," said PC Mayhew.

"As I approached the second roundabout I noticed Mr Douglas leaning across.

"I put my foot on the brake to stop the car.

"I quickly looked back again and he was in the middle of the two seats. Then suddenly he was in the front of the car.

"My foot was already on the break and I pushed it down hard.

"Mr Douglas slid onto the dashboard. His head hit the windscreen and cracked it.

"He was kicking and trying to get the passenger door open. I noticed his left hand was out of the handcuffs "At that point the car was hit from behind by another vehicle.

"My car was still moving. I had no control of the steering and couldn't get to the handbrake. The car swerved across two lanes.

"We were both being dragged along the road. I was slightly frightened. I could see the kerb coming towards my head.

"I had my arms around his legs, but he kicked his way free.

"It was a choice between stopping him getting away and stopping the car. At that point I thought it was best to stop the car safely."

Philip Warren for the prosecution told the jury: "The defendant made his escape from the car leaving one of his trainers behind.

"PC Mayhew sent out an emergency call. Officers searched the area and he was found behind Ferndale Road.

"He said PC Mayhew was driving badly, like a racing driver.

"When he was interviewed again on August 1, he said PC Mayhew's reported bad driving was the reason he tried to escape and that PC Mayhew had assaulted him."

Douglas denies robbery and escaping custody. He has chosen to represent himself and has also chosen not to be in court during the trial.

The trial continues.