A MAN is due to appear at Durham Crown Court charged with wounding a police officer.

Dean Watts, 23, of Lime Street, South Moor, County Durham, also faces driving offences following the incident in which the 47-year-old officer was injured.

The policeman was knocked over the bonnet and landed on the road while trying to stop a Fiat Punto with a Stinger device, which contains spikes that stop vehicles by deflating the tyres.

He suffered a broken left hand and cuts and bruises but is at home after hospital treatment following the incident in Genesis Way, Consett, at 4am on Friday, June 6.

Watts has been remanded into custody following an appearance at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

He is charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, driving without insurance and failing to stop.

He is due before Durham Crown Court on June 20.

Two men, aged 23 and 35, who were in the car at the time were arrested but are facing no further action.