Man appears in court over alleged '˜hit-and-run attack' on police officer outside Leeds pub

Patrick Martin Middleton, 32, appeared before Leeds Magistrates today (Feb 23) charged with attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving and arson.

The court heard Middleton is alleged to have driven his black Vauxhall Astra at a plain-clothes officer on Dolphin Lane, at the the rear of the Omnibus pub, in Belle Isle, last Friday evening, February 19.

The court heard the officer was struck shortly after jumping over a wall at the rear of the pub car park and was “screaming out in excruciating pain.”

It is alleged the car then left the scene and was found abandoned and burnt later that evening on Orion Gardens.

The officer was taken to hospital with injuries to his head and legs but has since been discharged.

Middleton was arrested in Dover in connection with the incident.

Middleton, who gave his address as Bankside House, Ousefleet, Goole, appeared in the dock of the court wearing a a grey sweatshirt and bottoms for the hearing.

No pleas to the charges were entered and the case was committed to Leeds Crown Court.

Middleton’s solicitor, David Tyrer said his client had been at an event at the pub to mark its final evening of being open before it is demolished to make way for flats.

The lawyer said Middleton was a “native of Leeds” and his partner was expecting their child in May.

An application for bail was refused and Middleton was told he will be remanded in custody until his next court appearance.

Three men, aged 19, 20 and 33, and two women aged 34 and 17 who were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of assisting an offender have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.