Man found

guilty of

dangerous

driving

Driver is

guilty in

'terror ride' case

A MAN who drove off with a plain clothes police officer clinging to the door of his car has been found guilty of dangerous driving by a jury at Bolton Crown Court.

Kenneth Gregory claimed he thought he was about to be robbed when he reversed at high speed with Sgt David Holt desperately clinging to the passenger door of his Fiesta car.

Sgt Holt suffered injuries in his ride of terror. He was dragged for 50 yards and then flung heavily against a parked car when Gregory's car collided with it.

Gregory will be sentenced on November 22 after a pre-sentence report has been prepared by the probation department.

The court heard that as he drove along Bradford Road in Great Lever on June 15, Gregory became aware that a Vauxhall car was following him.

Inside the unmarked police car were Sgt Holt and PC Christopher Walker who had followed him from Castle Street. They decided to stop Gregory's car, pulled up in front of him and jumped out.

Gregory reversed at high speed in a bid to escape and Sgt Holt was dragged along.

The officer was left lying injured in the road. The car continued reversing at speed smashing into an ambulance as it escaped. PC Walker was also injured in the incident.

Gregory, who was later arrested nearby, admitted driving off, but he claimed he did not know the men were police officers and thought he was about to be robbed.

Gregory, aged 59, of Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe, was convicted of dangerous driving, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Sgt Holt and assaulting PC Christopher Walker causing actual bodily harm.

He was granted bail until he next appears before the court.