A police officer sustained a collapsed lung after being stabbed during a struggle with a suspected teenage drug dealer, a jury has been told.
PC Russell Turner was injured when he and another officer, PC Clare Parry, were investigating reports of drug dealing in a park in Portsmouth.
They approached 19-year-old Michael Enzanga in Stamshaw Park but he tried to run away and a struggle broke out between the two officers and the suspect, Portsmouth crown court heard.
Dale Sullivan, prosecuting, said: “During the course of the struggle the defendant stabbed the officer several times, causing wounds to him which ultimately caused his lungs to collapse.”
Sullivan told the court that Enzanga fled after stabbing the 56-year-old officer but was spotted on CCTV before police fired a stun gun at him.
Enzanga, now 20, from Tottenham in north London, has pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a knife. He also denies four charges of possessing crack cocaine and diamorphine with intent to supply and possessing criminal property, namely a stash of money.
Turner, who has served with Hampshire police for 14 years, and Parry were wearing plain clothes as part of an undercover drug operation.
Sullivan said: “The police officers approached Enzanga with handcuffs and a warrant to prove they are police officers. They attempted to stop and search Enzanga and a struggle ensued.
“Enzanga stabbed Russell Turner multiple times and fled from the scene. He left the officer with a punctured lung. Other officers saw him running with a knife in his hand and attempted to fire a Taser at him. The Taser made contact but failed to trigger and he continued to flee.”
He said the suspect was later found hiding under tarpaulin in a nearby garden and the knife was recovered in a neighbouring garden. Enzanga was found with £966.70 in cash, believed to have been exchanged through drug deals, he added.
The trial continues.