A PSNI officer has gone on trial for allegedly driving over a pedestrian and fracturing his leg while attending the scene of an arson attack in Co Down.
Constable John Wright, (42), whose address was given as c/o Downpatrick PSNI station, denies a single charge of careless driving by causing grievous bodily injury to Gary Smyth at Meadowlands in Downpatrick
On the opening day of the trial at Downpatrick Crown Court, prosecution lawyer Laura Ivers told the jury that Constable Wright was attending the scene with other police colleagues and emergency services of an arson attack in the town's Meadowlands estate on August 31th, 2014.
Ms Ivers told the jury of seven men and five women: “Mr Wright agreed to move the armoured police vehicle to allow better access to the scene for fire crews.
“He moved that vehicle and struck a pedestrian, Mr Gary Smyth, causing him to fall to the ground.
“Shortly after, Mr Wright reversed the same police vehicle over the lower part of the pedestrian’s body, causing him a number of serious injuries.
“It is not suggested by the prosecution that Mr Wright did this in a deliberately or maliciously. It is, however, the prosecution case he did this without the requisite awarenes of the surroundings of the area carelessly by not seeing Mr Smyth and further failed to be aware of the pedestrian who he ran over the lower part of his body.”
The prosecutor told the trial, presided over by Judge Sandra Crawford, that during the incident Mr Smyth sustained a number of serious injuries, including a fractured right leg, a fractured right elbow and also a wound to his right leg.
Ms Ivers told the jury they will watch CCTV footage of the incident showing the police vehicle striking Mr Smyth twice.
The jury also heard a PSNI sergeant examined the vehicle after the incident and “found no damage” to it.
The prosecutor said Constable Wright was interviewed in October 2014 and told police investigators he was driving the vehicle on the evening of the incident and was moving it to give better access to the arson scene to fire crews.
Constable Wright explained he reversed the vehicle and “felt a bump under the wheels and thought it was the kerb”. He added that when he moved to get out of vehicle, he noticed legs under his driver’s side.
“Mr Wright says he tried to get help by sounding the car horn. He remained at the scene and gave first aid.”
The case continues.