A DETECTIVE has told how he punched a suspect hard in the nose to prevent him from escaping during the dramatic police chase of two men.

Christopher Hills was said to have adopted a ‘fighting stance’ when he was confronted by Detective Sergeant Scott Jameson and retired police officer Neil Taylor in a cul-de-sac.

A jury at Newcastle Crown Court heard how he and Paul Watson jumped from a bathroom window when police arrived to investigate the attack on Michael Price.

The 36-year-old has been dragged into Victor Street, Chester-le-Street, and ‘left for dead’ at around 5.30am on January 13.

The area was cordoned off and DS Jameson had knocked on the door and started to force entry as it was a ‘house of interest’.

The officer gave chase after hearing on his radio that two men were on the run, but lost sight of them as they ran into an estate.

DS Jameson said: “A car pulled up alongside me and a man I knew to be a former officer said: ‘get in, I know where they went.”

The suspects allegedly cut through a garden into Elvet Green and were cornered by the two men and told they were under arrest.

The court heard Watson got into the police car, but Hills became aggressive.

DS Jameson said: “I heard raised voices and looked back. Mr Hills had taken up a fighting stance, I can only describe it as a boxing stance.

“Without further word he punched Mr Taylor in the face and he stumbled back.”

The detective went to help but said as he did Watson saw the opportunity to escape and fled, only to be detained by a female officer using pepper spray minutes later.

Hills, meanwhile, was said to be grappling on the floor with the retired police officer, throwing punches into his body.

DS Jameson said: “It was a fight. I had to get in there. I had to start punching Mr Hills myself. They had no effect. He is a very strong male.”

The court heard Hills had Mr Taylor in a headlock and biting and gouging his eyes, while punching DS Jameson at the same time.

DS Jameson said: “I thought ‘we are not going to win this,’ so I punched Mr Hills in the nose squarely with my right fist.

“His nose started to bleed. He calmed down almost immediately and we were able to talk.

“It took the fight out of him.”

Mr Price, a drug addict from the Chester-le-Street area, suffered severe head injuries and died 11 days later in hospital

Hills and Watson were arrested on suspicion of GBH and later charged with murder.

When police arrested Hills they found 350 ecstasy tablets in his possession, along with £193 in cash and several smashed mobile phones.

DS Jameson, an officer of 15 years, suffered several injuries, including aches and pains, as well as bruising to his body and his hand where he delivered the decisive blow.

He said: “I have never had to do anything like that before. In terms of aggression, it is the worst I have ever encountered in my career. It was almost a trained stance, he was skilled.

“The punch on the nose was the clincher.”

The jury heard evidence from Mr Price’s sister, Joanne, that Hills used to supply him with cocaine.

The pair had been friends for over ten years and served time together in Durham prison.

Hill, 31, of Gregory Terrace, Houghton-le Spring, and Watson, also 30, of The Crescent, Chester-le-Street, both deny murder.

The trial continues.