Drug-dealing biker hits policeman, drags him across floor

A drug dealer crashed his motorbike into a police officer who dragged him across the floor as he tried to escape from police.

Michael Hill, 22, tried to flee from police on May 1 after being spotted in the Longlands area of ​​Middlesbrough. Teesside Crown Court heard he was detained after police received reports a bikie gang was selling drugs.

Hill was spotted by two patrolling police officers on a motorbike but attempted to flee when they approached him. A plainclothes sergeant riding a pedal cycle arrived on the scene but the defendant failed to slow down or take a defensive manoeuvre and hit him.

In a witness statement, the officer said: “He was coming straight at me as I was turning. He continued towards me, revving the engine hard. It looked like he was trying to turn right so he passed me on the left but didn’t have enough room to turn and hit the front of my bike.

“I tried to grab him by the coat, but that knocked me to the floor and the front of the bike hit me in the face. The bike started sliding, passed me and was still revving hard as the man tried to get away.

“I was still holding the man and was dragged along the ground.”

The officer suffered cuts to his knuckles and elbow. The court heard that another officer grabbed the accused and detained him.

He was found in possession of 23 grip seal bags containing 0.2g of cocaine, valued at £460. He also had two foil wrappers containing offers of cannabis worth £35, and a sealed bag containing seven to 10g of cannabis, valued at £70 to £100.

Police also found a wallet containing £305 and a baton. In interview, the defendant said he was sorry for the collision.

The accused later pleaded guilty to the following charges in the Raby court:

• Dangerous driving
• Possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply
• Possession of class B drugs with intent to supply
• Possession of property derived from crime
• Possession of offensive weapons
• Driving without insurance
• Driving without a driving license

His attorney, Michele Turner, said Hill tried to get past the officer but had no room to move and hit him. She argued he had a minor role in the drug ring and asked for his guilty plea to be accepted.

She argued that the accused could be convicted without having to serve a prison sentence.

Addressing the defendant, Judge Chris Smith said: “You face a very difficult sentencing test, you are young, you have had your challenges but what you did that day was very serious.

“You present me with such a difficult sentencing decision that I need time to consider it.”

The defendant, from Grove Hill, was remanded in custody and sentencing will be announced on Wednesday, July 23, by the same court.

To receive daily news from Teesside courts direct to your inbox, Go here to sign up for our free court newsletter