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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Pc cleared of attacking suspect | Pc cleared of attacking suspect |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A police officer has been found not guilty of setting his dog on a suspect after a high-speed car chase. | A police officer has been found not guilty of setting his dog on a suspect after a high-speed car chase. |
| Pc Deano Walker, of West Midlands Police, denied charges of assault, dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice. | Pc Deano Walker, of West Midlands Police, denied charges of assault, dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice. |
| A jury at Stafford Crown Court cleared him of setting his dog on the man and perverting the course of justice. | A jury at Stafford Crown Court cleared him of setting his dog on the man and perverting the course of justice. |
| They found him guilty of a charge of careless driving, but cleared him of dangerous driving. | They found him guilty of a charge of careless driving, but cleared him of dangerous driving. |
| During the three-day trial, the prosecution claimed the alleged incidents took place while police were chasing a suspect in a stolen van. | During the three-day trial, the prosecution claimed the alleged incidents took place while police were chasing a suspect in a stolen van. |
| Disciplinary action | Disciplinary action |
| The prosecution said that at one point the footage, from two patrol cars and a helicopter, showed Pc Walker's car colliding with the van, which they had mistakenly believed was stolen. | The prosecution said that at one point the footage, from two patrol cars and a helicopter, showed Pc Walker's car colliding with the van, which they had mistakenly believed was stolen. |
| Helicopter footage then showed him knocking down the van's passenger, Martin Pearce, and setting his dog on him, the court was told. | Helicopter footage then showed him knocking down the van's passenger, Martin Pearce, and setting his dog on him, the court was told. |
| But during the trial Pc Walker said he did not believe either he or his dog had been particularly aggressive towards Mr Pearce. | But during the trial Pc Walker said he did not believe either he or his dog had been particularly aggressive towards Mr Pearce. |
| Pc Walker, who was suspended from the police force for 14 months, was given nine points on his driving licence and fined £500. | |
| Outside court, Pc Walker said: "Now I want to get back to work and do the job I'm paid to do as a police officer." | |
| Pc Walker will still face disciplinary action from West Midlands Police after he admitted breaking force rules as he was not authorised to take part in pursuits. | Pc Walker will still face disciplinary action from West Midlands Police after he admitted breaking force rules as he was not authorised to take part in pursuits. |