A Tasmania Police constable dived out of the way so that he was not struck by a motor vehicle being driven by a wanted man, the Launceston Magistrates Court heard.
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Robert Craig Williams, 36, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault police and evade police in aggravated circumstances on April 21 last year.
Crown Prosecutor Claire Darvell said it was the state's case that it was assault by threatening gesture by driving straight at Constable Kyron McMahon.
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Constable McMahon said he and colleague Benjamin Pearce-Lieutier were parked in an unmarked car and looking for Mr Wiliams in the Launceston CBD because the Parole Board had issued a warrant for his arrest.
After seeing him, Constable Pearce Lieutier called stop police but Mr Williams ran down Smiths Lane in St John Street.
The police officers chased him on foot into the lane.
Constable Pearce-Lieutier said he put himself hard against the wall of the lane as Mr Williams drove a Nissan Pulsar towards him.
He tried to grab the door handle.
Constable McMahon said he was about two metres into the lane when he saw Mr Williams drive straight at him in the 4.5-metre wide lane.
"The vehicle accelerated and started coming towards me," he said.
"I believed if I did not get out of the way it would strike me.
"I turned and ran."
He said that he jumped out of the way into St John Street and struck his knee on a metal bench.
Constable McMahon said he looked to see Mr Williams turn into St John Street and drive through a red light into York Street.
He estimated the vehicle was travelling at 20-30kmh.
Constable Pearce-Lieutier said he saw Mr Williams continue to accelerate and had no intention of stopping as he drove towards Constable McMahon.
He said Constable McMahon dived right as the car came towards him.
Mr Williams pleaded guilty to reckless driving and driving without a licence which the Crown said was all part of the same event.
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