PC describes moment she was stabbed to court

PC Holly Gray told the court she felt blood running down her leg after she was stabbed

A jury has heard how a police officer felt blood running down her leg after she was stabbed while trying to disarm a suspect.

Mark Fox, 35, from Mill Lane, in Billingham, County Durham, is charged with three counts of wounding with intent and one charge of threatening with an offensive weapon.

On Tuesday at Teesside Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to wounding three police officers but denied intent.

The prosecution argued the defendant was a dangerous man who had formed a clear intent to be violent.

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said police had been called to a house on Corfe Crescent by a family member who was concerned for the defendant's safety.

He told the court the two police officers were stabbed while trying to recover a knife, while a third was slashed on his forearm.

The prosecution alleged the defendant also grabbed two of his relatives and held a knife to their faces.

'About to snap'

PC Holly Gray, one of the Cleveland Police officers who attended the scene, reviewed body cam footage of the incident in court.

She said the defendant was "pacing back and forth" and was "looking at them like they were evil beings".

"Something was brewing inside him and he was about to snap," she said.

Ms Gray told the could how officers had unsuccessfully tried to Taser Fox twice.

At one point, she said she felt blood running down her leg, and then shouted: "I’ve been stabbed."

The court heard the three officers did not suffer life-threatening injuries, but all needed hospital treatment.

Mr Newcombe said: "The fact their injuries were not worse we may owe more to luck than judgment."

The jury heard that more police officers arrived at the house and the defendant was eventually arrested.

The trial continues.