Officer hit by stolen patrol car stable as suspect is charged

A TRAFFIC policeman who was run over while trying to stop a suspected car theft is facing a “long battle” to recover, his family have said.

Gareth Phillips, who underwent surgery over the weekend, remains in intensive care where his condition is said to be stable, West Midlands Police said.

He was injured during a traffic stop in Birmingham on Saturday after his police car was taken. It is understood he was pinned under the BMW patrol car at one point.

In a statement, released through the force with whom he has served almost 20 years, his family said: “We are grateful for all the messages of support that we’ve had from the police and members of the public.

“Gareth is still very poorly and faces a long battle to recover.

“What happened on Saturday demonstrates the dangers that officers face every day.

“We’d ask for people to respect our privacy now while we as a family support Gareth over the weeks and months ahead.”

Injured: Pc Gareth Phillips

Earlier, Mubashar Hussain appeared in court charged with the 42-year-old traffic officer’s attempted murder.

The 29-year-old, who faces 13 charges, sat in the dock of Birmingham Magistrates Court yesterday flanked by security officers. He spoke only to confirm his name, age and address and was told the offences were so serious they must be sent to the city’s Crown Court.

Hussain, formerly of Sherwood Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, is alleged to have caused serious injury by dangerous driving, dangerous driving on the city’s A41 Warwick Road, and wounding another police officer who suffered a cut arm.

He is accused of taking the police BMW without the owner’s consent and driving it without a licence.

Hussain is further accused of four counts of assaulting other constables, driving while disqualified and the theft of two Range Rover cars.

Representing Hussain, solicitor Abir Uddin said: “There will be a guilty plea to count number eight, to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.”

Hussain appeared alongside 24-year-old Ahsan Ghafoor, formerly of Fulham Road, Sparkhill.

Ghafoor is accused of taking two Range Rovers, dangerous driving, and driving the Range Rover Sport without a licence or insurance.

Deputy District Judge David Murray, hearing the case, said: “I will send all matters to the Crown Court sitting at Birmingham for the next appearance on September 9 this year.”

There was no application for bail.