A TRIAL date has been set for a young motorist accused of knocking down a police officer who was laying a Stinger device in a bid to halt his car.

Dean Watts, 23, was said to have been driving a Fiat Punto which collided with the road policing officer on the A693, near Consett, County Durham - knocking him over the bonnet, before he landed on the road.

The 47-year-old officer was treated in hospital for a suspected broken bone in his left hand, plus cuts and bruises.

But the Punto drove off towards Catchgate, with a steadily deflating tyre from the Stinger's spikes.

The car was abandoned in Cotswold Terrace, Craghead, near Stanley - after it came to police attention, due to the way it was being driven in Genesis Way, Consett, at about 4am on Friday June 6.

Mr Watts, who was believed to have been the driver, and two passengers, were arrested a short time later.

No further action was taken against the passengers, but Mr Watts was accused of causing grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident and no insurance.

He appeared via video link to Holme House Prison, near Stockton, at a hearing at Durham Crown Court.

Adrian Dent, prosecuting, said the Crown is considering including a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, depending on the outcome of a visit by the injured officer to a fracture clinic.

Mr Dent said the injury is now considered to be a suspected wrist fracture.

The case was adjourned for a plea hearing on September 4 and Mr Watts, of Lime Street, South Moor, Stanley, was further remanded in custody.

Should the case go to trial it will start at the court on October 20.