Man admits dangerous driving after hitting Pc in Leeds
Patrick Middleton, 32, struck the officer while driving a Vauxhall Astra in the Middleton area on February 19.
Middleton appeared at Leeds Crown Court today dressed in a white shirt and blue jeans, where he admitted one count of dangerous driving.
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Hide AdHe only spoke to confirm his name and to enter his pleas, during the brief hearing.
When the charge of dangerous driving was put to him, Middleton simply said: “Guilty”.
He also denies one count of attempting to commit grievous bodily harm and one count of arson, showing no emotion as he replied “not guilty”, after each charge was read to him.
He is accused of deliberately hitting the officer in an attempt to injure him and then torching the Astra after he left the scene.
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Hide AdMarcus Waite, for Middleton, told the court: “The defendant accepts he was driving the car and the car collided with the police officer but he says it was accidental and he didn’t mean to cause him any harm.”
The court heard Middleton admits he then drove the car to Dover.
Remanding Middleton in custody, Recorder Peter Collier QC: “You are in custody and will be expected to remain there until your next hearing.”
Middleton will stand trial for attempted GBH and arson later this year.