A MAN who injured a police officer by dragging him along by his car before he could search the vehicle for drugs has been spared jail.

Amjad Khan, 29, was seen behind the wheel of his Volkswagen Golf while it was parked up near his home on Grantham Road, Bradford, on September 3.

Police were patrolling the area having received reports of suspected drug-dealing, and as Khan was parked up alongside a second car - another Golf - the two vehicles were approached by special constable Christopher Pilkington.

Prosecutor Paul Nicholson said that Mr Pilkington could smell cannabis, and as he walked towards the cars, the other Golf drove away.

Khan’s car rolled forward slightly, and Mr Pilkington said he saw the defendant turn the wheel towards him.

He then put his right hand inside the window and tried to reach the keys to remove them from the ignition.

While his arm was still in the vehicle, Khan set off, dragging Mr Pilkington down the road.

Mr Nicholson said Khan used his hands to try and “palm off” the officer, and he eventually fell to the ground.

Khan drove away but was arrested at his home address a short time later, telling officers that he had “panicked” after Mr Pilkington had “tried to stop him for no reason.”

The officer was treated by paramedics and suffered a cut to his right arm that required stitching and cuts and bruises to his other arm and body.

Police said at the time that Mr Pilkington had suffered a suspected broken wrist, but this was not mentioned during yesterday’s hearing at Bradford Crown Court.

The prosecution did not pursue a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Khan after he pleaded guilty to an offence of dangerous driving.

Mr Nicholson said the crown accepted that Khan, who had no previous convictions, had not deliberately meant to cause injury to Mr Pilkington.

His barrister, Ian Hudson, said it was the other Golf, rather than Khan’s car, that police had markers on for use in the suspected dealing of cannabis.

He said it was an “unusual” offence of dangerous driving as the car had only travelled a “few yards” as a result of the incident.

He added that Khan, an ex-planning engineer who now works for the Royal Mail, knew Mr Pilkington as a local officer and was keen to apologise to him personally and offer some compensation for his injuries.

Recorder David Gordon QC told Khan: “This was a disgraceful incident.

“Mr Pilkington was thrown to the ground and sustained nasty and shocking injuries. They would have been worse had he not been wearing body armour.

“This is an offence that must be marked with a period of imprisonment, but I am just about persuaded that it can be suspended.

“You’ve had a close shave. This was a special constable doing nothing more than his duty.”

Khan was jailed for six months, suspended for a year, and banned from driving for 12 months.

He was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 compensation to his victim.