PC dog handler cleared of assault

Aug 10 2007 By Mike Posner, Birmingham Mail

A WEST Midlands police dog handler accused of assault after he set his alsatian on a suspect after a high speed night-time car chase in Birmingham has been cleared.

Jurors at Stafford Crown Court took almost six hours to clear PC Deano Walker, aged 35, of dangerous driving, attempting to pervert the course of justice and two assaults causing actual bodily harm.

But he was convicted of the alternative charge of careless driving, fined £500, with nine penalty points and his licence was endorsed.

Married dad Walker, of Shaw Close, Fradley, Lichfield, denied all the charges.

The Erdington-based officer said: "I would like to say I am pleased that this is all over. It has been difficult for myself and my family who have supported me.

"This happened about 14 or 15 months ago and I have been suspended for most of it. It has been a huge pressure on me and my family and it has taken its toll on me."

In May last year while he was on duty with his alsatian dog, Greco, PC Walker became involved in a high speed chase reaching a speed of 90 miles an hour as he and two other police cars followed a car wrongly suspected of being stolen.

A video was shown to jurors of PC Walker's car driving on a grass verge behind the suspect car.

Nick Tatlock, prosecuting, claimed PC Walker's car knocked Martin Pearce down as he tried to run off, then set his dog on him as he lay on the ground.

"His driving during the chase was clearly dangerous and during the pursuit he undertook a series of manouvres which were hazardous," he said.