Cleared PC keen on work return

A police dog handler convicted of careless driving but cleared of assaulting a suspect following a high speed chase said today he now just wants to get back to work.

Pc Deano Walker still faces a disciplinary hearing by the West Midlands Force, but Stafford Crown Court heard that it is unlikely he will lose his job.

The officer was yesterday cleared of dangerous driving, two assaults and trying to pervert the course of justice.

Walker, aged 35, of Shaw Lane, Lichfield, had denied all the allegations. After the verdicts he said: "I am so pleased it is all over. It has been a very difficult time for myself and my family and I would like to thank all my friends who have supported me. I now want to get back to work and do the job I am paid for, a police officer."Walker added that being suspended had also put huge pressure on himself, his family and his colleagues.

Mr David Mason, defending, told Judge Paul Glenn that in the light of the verdicts it was likely Walker would keep his job, although he could lose it if he was banned from driving.

The judge said he did not want that to happen and fined Walker £500 and endorsed his licence with nine penalty points.

During the trial the prosecution claimed that Walker, who was not an advanced driver, carried out a series of "hazardous maneouvres" during the pursuit around Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield. When it ended his police car hit a suspect fleeing from the van he and other officers had been following and knocked him down.

It was alleged Walker then set his German shepherd Greco on the man, 20-year-old Martin Pearce from Birmingham. Mr Pearce suffered a knee injury and bites to his leg and foot.

The Crown also maintained that Walker later filled in a false dog-bite report to cover his tracks.

Walker admitted he had been in breach of force policy when he joined in the pursuit in May of last year but said he had been asked to assist and took every precaution he should have. "My driving was safe at the time," he said.

He said he did not deliberately drive at Mr Pearce. Walker added that Mr Pearce began lashing outwhen told he was under arrest. "I attempted to detain him myself then told the dog to hold and he took him by the left leg."

Pc Walker said when he was suspended, in October, he passed 18-months-old Greco on to another handler and he would not be able to have him back again.