A TRANSPORT firm boss ran over a police officer outside his son's primary school after he gave him a parking ticket.

Children looked on as Paul Hughes, 40, accelerated his Land Rover Discovery at Special Constable Andreas Hagemann, 31.

Mr Hagemann was knocked down and had to roll out of the way to avoid further injuries.

The incident happened as Hughes, the owner of a transport and storage firm, was picking up his nine-year-old son in Tynemouth, North Tyneside.

Hughes pleaded guilty at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court to dangerous driving, and was warned he could be jailed.

Kevin Wardlaw, prosecuting, said: "Mr Hagemann heard the vehicle engine begin to rev and looked up to see Hughes with an expression of rage on his face staring straight at him. The Land Rover then moved forward towards the officer and struck him on the legs.

"He fell forward and on to the ground and was forced to roll out of the way to avoid the wheels of the car."

Speaking after the hearing, Hughes said: "I did not mean to knock him over, but he fell to the ground and acted like he was dying or something."

Hughes, 40, of Bray Close, Wallsend, North Tyneside, owns North-East Express Transport, based in North Shields, North Tyneside.

Hughes was given an interim driving disqualification until his next court appearance, on May 16.