Police officer run over by his own patrol car facing ‘long battle’ to recovery

A traffic officer who was run over while trying to stop a suspected car theftis facing a "long battle" to recover, his family have said.

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 everyday."

Pc Gareth Phillips, who underwent surgery over the weekend, remains inintensive 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 had been taken.

Pc Phillips was then involved in a collision with his vehicle and at one pointwas pinned beneath the BMW car.

Today (August 12th), Mubashar Hussain appeared in court charged with the 42-year-old traffic officer's attempted murder, following the incident in Moorcroft Road, Birmingham, at about 4.45pm on Saturday.

The 29-year-old, who is charged with a total of 13 offences after his arrestthe nearby Sparkbrook area of the city, sat in the dock of Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Monday surrounded 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 on 9 September.