AN off-duty police officer was run over as he tackled a raider who had burgled his neighbour's home, a court heard yesterday.

Norman Tennet was hit by the stolen Ford Focus while he grappled with Paul Clancy, 31, one of two men he caught fleeing through a window in the early hours of March 31.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Clancy was arrested after a neighbour in Leander Drive, Boldon Colliery, sat on him until the police arrived.

Roger Moore, prosecuting, told the court: "Mr Tennet was able to go over and approach one of the two burglars and a struggle immediately commenced between the two.

"The other person got in the car and revved it up while Mr Tennet was struggling with Clancy, who was clearly intent on getting away and, most importantly of all, was described as having in his hand a hammer.

"The struggle did not last long because the other person in the Ford Focus drove into the two of them, knocking them both down. During the course of which they continued to struggle.

"He then made good his escape, smashing into another vehicle, then driving off."

Clancy, of Berwick Avenue, Town End Farm, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to burglary and assault with intent.

He also admitted stealing property worth £1,300 from another burglary in Kidderminister Road, Sunderland, two weeks earlier.

The court heard that Clancy had turned to crime as a result of heroin abuse.

Clancy was jailed for two years.