A POLICE officer who was mown down by one of his force's own patrol cars while chasing a suspect has been awarded £325,000 damages.

Stewart Kennedy, 28, was retired from active service with Northumbria Police after the accident, which happened while he was pursuing a suspect on foot, backed up by officers in a squad car.

The former constable launched a bid for compensation against the Northumbria force, which settled in the High Court, in Newcastle, yesterday.

Mr Kennedy and his partner were chasing a suspect in the Cowgate area of Newcastle, in October 1997, when a marked Ford Fiesta patrol car mounted the pavement and hit him.

During the settlement hearing Mr Kennedy's barriser, Simon Wood, told the courtMr Kennedy suffered head and leg injuries and underwent surgery to relieve hip and leg pain. He also suffers from an adjustment disorder, leaving him unable to come to terms with what happened.

The settlement figure represented his future earnings due to being forced to leave the force.

Mr Kennedy claimed the Northumbria force was negligent because the driver allowed the vehicle to mount the pavement, failed to swerve and failed to apply the brakes in time or at all.

Mr Kennedy did not wish to comment after the hearing.