A police dog handler told Stafford Crown Court he set his Alsatian on a suspect only after he lashed out.Pc Deano Walker said neither he nor his dog Greco were excessively aggressive as he detained suspect Martin Pearce, aged 20, from Birmingham, following a police chase.

The West Midlands officer, 35, of Shaw Lane, Lichfield, also denied he had tried to cover up his role in a witness statement and bite report.

The officer, based at Erdington at the time, admitted he had made a mistake in his report which came to light when he watched helicopter video footage of the incident.

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A police dog handler told Stafford Crown Court he set his Alsatian on a suspect only after he lashed out.

Pc Deano Walker said neither he nor his dog Greco were excessively aggressive as he detained suspect Martin Pearce, aged 20, from Birmingham, following a police chase.

The West Midlands officer, 35, of Shaw Lane, Lichfield, also denied he had tried to cover up his role in a witness statement and bite report.

The officer, based at Erdington at the time, admitted he had made a mistake in his report which came to light when he watched helicopter video footage of the incident.

“When I requested to make an additional statement, I was told I could not,” he said.

Pc Walker said he did not deliberately drive at Mr Pearce and it was only after he got out of his car that he saw him lying on the ground.

“When I told him he was under arrest he began to lash out at me with his arms and legs. I attempted to detain him myself, then told the dog to hold and he took him by the left leg. When Mr Pearce calmed down I told Greco to leave him.”

Pc Walker denies dangerous driving, assaulting Mr Pearce by driving into him and setting a dog on him and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The hearing continues.