THE driver of the car that hit Coventry police officer Christopher Burnham, causing devastating injuries, has denied he was trying to kill him.
Appearing at Warwick Crown court via a video link with Woodhill prison, where he is on remand, Tekle Lennox pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Pc Burnham.
The charge follows an incident at the junction of Burnaby Road and Holbrooks Lane, in Holbrooks, Coventry, on the afternoon of September 25.
Having got out of a police car, Pc Burnham was hit by a Mini being driven by Lennox.
As a result, the married officer, who has a ten-year-old son, suffered a fractured skull, a bleed on the brain and a shattered knee.
He was in an induced coma in hospital for some time but, asked by Judge Andrew Lockhart QC what his current condition was, prosecutor Darron Whitehead said he was now out of hospital.
A second charge of causing Pc Burnham grievous bodily harm with intent to resist arrest was also put to Lennox, who said he had not been aware of that charge.
Judge Lockhart pointed out it alleged he had caused the injuries to the officer with intent to resist arrest, rather than with an intent to cause serious injury.
He allowed him time to discuss it with his barrister Gary Bell QC, after which Lennox (37) of no fixed address, also pleaded not guilty to that charge.
But he pleaded guilty to a further charge of driving the Mini involved in the collision while disqualified.
Judge Lockhart adjourned the case for Lennox to stand trial at the court in March, and remanded him in custody.
But the judge also ordered that there should be another hearing later this month.
