Community order for man who struck Birmingham police officer with car

Lawrence Connors admitted dangerous driving

A man has been given a community order after a police officer was hit by a car in Birmingham city centre.

Lawrence Connors, 23, admitted dangerous driving, following the collision on Upper Dean Street at 15:30 BST on 26 May last year. The officer suffered "soft tissue damage".

Connors, from Syms Avenue, Bristol, was handed a community order for 12 months at Birmingham Crown Court.

A charge of assaulting an emergency services worker is to lie on file.

Another charge, obstructing a police officer, was formally withdrawn.

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A police officer was injured on Upper Dean Street in Birmingham on 26 May

West Midlands Police Federation chair Jon Nott said it was difficult to comment on the case as he did not know the exact details.

But he also stated: "Anyone who assaults a police officer in the execution of their duty should be sent to prison, because it's an attack on someone who's... trying to protect the public.

"Any assault of a police officer is almost like an attack on society itself.

"We do welcome the home secretary's [Priti Patel's] push and promise to look to double the maximum sentence for assault of an emergency services worker... currently 12 months."