Saqib Ali, aged 29, is accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent to PC Kidd in Walsall on February 24 last year

A man deliberately drove at and crushed a police officer in a bid to escape arrest, a court has heard.

A jury was shown graphic footage of Pc Kidd repeatedly crying out for help after being ‘pinned’ between his marked police van and Saqib Ali’s Vauxhall Astra on Reservoir Place in Walsall.

His colleague Pc Bull was dragged along the ground by the defendant’s vehicle having tried to stop him pulling away, Birmingham Crown Court was told.

Ali, aged 29, of Mere Road, Erdington, stands trial denying inflicting grievous bodily to Pc Kidd with intent, an alternative similar offence without intent, as well as charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Pc Bull with intent or assaulting Pc Bull occasioning actual bodily harm in the alternative.

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The incident took place around 10.30am on February 24 last year.

The two officers, along with Pc Jeavons, had been on patrol in Walsall when they became suspicious of the Astra which was parked with its headlights on.

Opening the case, prosecutor John Brotherton told the jury: “You will hear Pc Bull approach the defendant and ask him to lower his driver’s side window so he could talk to him.

“The defendant did so but only by a small amount, enough for the officer to smell cannabis coming from inside the vehicle.

“At that point the defendant seemed to be under the influence of cannabis.

“He was giving all the tell-tale signs, his eyes were glazed, speech was slurred.

“The officer elected to place the defendant under arrest, opened the driver’s side door and leant into the vehicle in an attempt to put him into handcuffs.

“He wasn’t able to issue the full words of the arrest because the defendant was obstructive.

“He pulled his arms away and suddenly, without warning, the Astra moved forward.”

Mr Brotherton told the jury they would soon be able to view the incident from the officers’ body worn camera footage.

He continued: “It is pretty apparent the defendant put the vehicle into gear and was intending to and did drive away.

“Prior to that he shouts out ‘move or I’ll run you down’.

“The Astra moves forward and collides with the police van trapping Pc Kidd between the police van and the Astra.

“As it did so it took Pc Bull, who was leaning into the vehicle, he’s dragged forward and pinned between the two vehicles similarly.

“Both in immediate pain and both shouting instructions to the defendant to back off. Pc Bull was yelling at the defendant to reverse.

“The defendant did so but not immediately. As he did both fell to the ground.”

Mr Brotherton told the court that Pc Bull got back to his feet and Tasered Ali, who drove off at speed.

Pc Kidd sustained a number of ‘unpleasant’ injuries including fractures to his leg, feet and ankle. While Pc Bull suffered cuts and bruises.

Ali was arrested the following day but answered no comment.

Mr Brotherton said: “I anticipate he is going to say it was all an accident.

“His foot slipped off the clutch. We say none of it.

“This is a deliberate act, putting the vehicle into gear – you hear the engine revving – and driving at the officer.”

He concluded his opening by playing the officers’ body worn camera footage to the court.

Pc Kidd could be heard screaming and repeatedly shouting ‘help’ as well as ‘my leg, my leg, please stop, please stop’.

The trial continues.