A POLICE force being sued by a former officer, who almost died after a brick smashed through his windscreen, has denied it should have fitted reinforced glass prior to the attack.

PC John Robinson, then 34, suffered horrific head injuries and was almost killed in the attack, which was part of a game named "Brick a Bobby".

PC Robinson, along with the driver of the car, PC Michael Mohon, is claiming compensation from Northumbria Police.

But the force said it was not liable because there was little or no risk of this type of accident happening, and said it could not be criticised for not taking measures to prevent it.

The force denies it had a duty to fit its vehicles with re-inforced glass, although all vehicles are now.

The two PCs had been set upon by a gang of youths on the Pennywell Estate, Sunderland, in a game known known locally as "Brick a Bobby".

A brick was thrown through the window of their patrol car as they chased a suspected car thief through the estate.

It hit PC Robinson on the head.

He was forced to leave the force after the incident.

PC Mohon, then 37, thought his partner was dead after the broken house brick shot through the windscreen with the speed of a bullet.

In fact, it was only his speed in getting his colleague to hospital that saved PC Robinson's life.

PC Robinson was on a life-support machine for four days, during which time his life hung in the balance.

Northumbria Police, which denies liability, later introduced strengthened glass into patrol cars.

Members of the gang were jailed for almost 60 years between them after the court was told one of the attackers had shouted "Bullseye" as the brick hit.

But the High Court in Newcastle heard yesterday how Northumbria Police had looked outside the force for information on this type of attack.

Its barrister, Andrew Robertson QC, said: "It is relevant to draw on experience of other police forces and how they have viewed matters. We, of course, have the benefit of hindsight after the horrific incident involving Mr Robinson and Mr Mahon."

The court heard that an officer in Merseyside Police had come across attacks of the same kind but that no missiles had penetrated the windscreen.

He said that if there had been a risk of this type of injury, then it was very slight, if at all.

Judgement in the case was reserved and will be made at a later date