Policeman 'hit driver'

An off-duty Cannock policeman launched a "revenge" attack on another motorist who had battered him with a baseball bat, jurors heard.

Pc Mark Brayson was hit over the head and in the ribs by Steven Force, but still managed to disarm him. However Brayson then went on to punch Force in the face as he tried to remove his car keys, a court heard.

Mr Neal Williams, prosecuting, told the jury at Stafford Crown Court: "It is that part of the incident, prosecution say, which was not lawful self defence, he had gone beyond that.

Because of the attack on him, he lost his self control and he intended some sort of revenge on Force for what he had done to him."

Brayson, aged 36, of The Ridings, Cannock denies a charge of affray.

The court was told that 28-year-old Force has already admitted affray and possessing an offensive weapon.

Mr Williams said the incident took place at a set of traffic lights in Avon Road, Cannock, when Brayson's Ford Focus pulled up alongside Force's Fiat Bravo.

Giving evidence, Force told the jury he got out of his car, armed with a baseball bat, when he saw Brayson undoing his seat belt.

"I struck him twice to the head and then to the ribs. He was still coming at me, it didn't affect him at all, so I went for his legs.

"He grabbed the bat off me, I tried to take it away from him. As soon as he told me he was a police officer, I let go of the bat."

But Brayson, who this week celebrated eight years as an officer with the West Midlands force, told the jury he was only trying to stop Force either getting another weapon out of his car - or escaping by driving off.

The trial is continuing.