A POLICE officer trying to detain a man for breaching a restraining order was dragged along by the suspect’s car door as he attempted to reverse away, a court heard.

The PC approached Jackson Bryson’s car, after seeing him in the parked BMW at Peterlee Bus Station, off Bede Way, at 11.10pm, on September 7.

Durham Crown Court was told the officer approached the driver’s door and asked Bryson to remove his keys from the ignition barrel.

Emma Dowling, prosecuting, said Bryson told the officer: “No, I haven’t done anything wrong.”

He then put the vehicle in reverse, as the officer tried to reach into the car to remove the keys.

Miss Dowling said the officer, trapped against the open car door, was at risk of being run over had he lost his footing during the manoeuvre, covering a distance of between ten and 15-metres.

Durham Crown Court was told the officer managed to stay on his feet, however, but suffered some residual soreness and discomfort to his lower back for several days.

He later spoke of his fears that he may have been dragged under the wheels of the car, despite repeatedly asking Bryson to stop.

Miss Dowling said Bryson was being sought by police for breaching a restraining order put in place by magistrates in April when he was convicted of a stalking offence, relating to his former partner.

The woman complained of receiving numerous messages from him over the previous few days, some of a threatening nature and others claiming he would harm himself, while he also visited her, in breach of the terms of the order.

Miss Dowling said the woman did reply to some of his messages, at first, just to give her a peaceful life, but felt trapped by him, even though she did not want to resume a relationship with him.

Bryson, 21, of William Morris Terrace, Shotton Colliery, admitted two counts of breaching a restraining order and one of dangerous driving.

Andrew Teate, mitigating, told the court: “This is undoubtedly serious behaviour and. No doubt, the officer had no idea what his intentions were when he placed the car in reverse.

“Fortunately, it was over no more than ten to 15 metres and the officer was able to move backwards with the car.”

Passing a 22-month prison sentence, Judge Christopher Prince told Bryson that anyone putting a police officer at risk in such a manner could only expect to end up in custody.

He also banned Bryson from driving for 23 months and extended the previous two-year restraining order, which is now, “until further order”.