A policeman was tossed around “like a rag doll” as he was dragged along by a car driven by thought burglars before he died, a murder trial has actually heard.

PC Andrew Harper suffered “utterly catastrophic” injuries after reacting to the reported theft of a quad bike from a home near the town of Sulhamstead in Berkshire last summertime.

The officer’s feet ended up being tangled up in a crane strap which was connected to the boot of a Seat Toledo, the Old Bailey heard.

The strap had actually been utilized to take the bike, and he was pulled along for more than a mile, jurors were informed.

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Ambulance paramedics pay their aspects in front of homages near Sulhamstead

PC Harper, who had actually just recently wed, was breathing when he was discovered in the roadway however was noticable dead at the scene.

One witness Jack Whittenham believed the victim was an injured deer as he saw the officer being pulled along on the ground with arms “flailing around”, the prosecution stated.

District Attorney Brian Altman QC informed the court: “It was Mr Whittenham who believed it was a bloodied deer connected to the car, however he rapidly understood it was somebody caught by both ankles with arms flailing around, as he explained it, like a rag doll, being dragged around the roadway.

More from Pc Andrew Harper

” He saw the entire body striking the kerb on the other side of the roadway.”

His personal belongings, consisting of authorities badge, ID card, driving licence and pocket note pad, were discovered along the path where he was dragged.

The officer’s mobile phone was on a yard brink near a wood stake that had actually been “scythed down” when PC Harper’s body struck it, Mr Altman stated.

Marks on the roadway revealed proof of the “violence” of the driving, he informed the jury.

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PC Harper and his other half Lissie. Picture: Thames Valley Authorities

Henry Long, 18, from Mortimer, Reading, and 2 17- year-olds, who can not be called for legal factors, all reject killing the Thames Valley Policeman on 15 August in 2015.

The court heard that Long was driving, among the teens was apparently next to him in the traveler seat, and the other was riding the quad bike, which was being pulled by a boot cover hinge with a crane strap that formed a loop.

The quad bike rider detached the strap, and as PC Harper attempted to stop him from leaping through the Seat’s rear traveler window, the officer’s feet ended up being twisted in the crane strap, and he was dragged along as Long repelled, the trial heard.

Jurors were informed that, as the supposed killers attempted to get away, they drove directly at a cops car after heading back towards the officer’s vehicle as they attempted “not to get captured at all expenses”.

Mr Altman stated the officer pursuing them was required to divert to the left as the vehicle passed, directly missing him.

Long has actually confessed murder, which the more youthful young boys reject, and all 3 have actually pleaded guilty to conspiracy to take a quad bike.

The trial continues.

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