A BRAVE off-duty police officer was dragged by a car for 25 metres before being bitten by the wanted man he was trying to arrest.

Prolific shop thief Colin Wood sunk his teeth into the officer's arm as he attempted to drive off after being recognised while shopping inside Aldi, on Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh.

With the officer half inside the car and half outside it, Wood, who has racked up more 70 convictions for 200 offences, left the constable needing a series of operations after he sustained serious injuries to his knees and body in the incident.

Southampton Crown Court heard that due to Wood's longstanding drug addiction, the officer said in a victim impact statement he was fearful he may have caught HIV from the bite.

In sentencing Wood to 21 months imprisonment, Judge Nicholas Rowland said the 37-year-old caused "significant damage to an officer just carrying out his duty".

Roderick Blain, prosecuting, told the court Wood had been wanted for a series of outstanding shoplifting offences and had been identified by the officer, who was out shopping with his fellow police office wife.

After notifying the store's management, Aldi's assistant manager also knew Wood as he had previously been banned from one of the brand's stores in Romsey.

While Wood was apprehended he made a run for it towards his car.

Mr Blain said: "The police constable ran after and got to the car and struck the window. He opened the car door by which time it was moving.

"He was dragged by the car in the car park for around 20 to 25m, with his knees scraping on the ground."

Mr Blain added the officer sustained a bite mark as he was hanging on to the car and trying to get hold of the keys.

The court heard that the officer had since had two operations to correct his knees.

The victim also said he had been forced to wait six months to find out whether he had contracted any disease from the bite.

Jim Osbourne, mitigating, said that officer may have been at fault for causing the incident.

He told the court: "I do not want to go behind the officer's back but he could have contributed to his own injuries.

"He was punching Wood in the face and could have shown his wallet to show he was an officer but he chose to try and get into car and get him that way."

Wood, of HMP Winchester, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and actual bodily harm.

As well as his term of imprisonment, he was banned from the roads for two years, which will start after he has served half of his sentence.

Following Wood's sentencing, Chief Inspector Mike Haines said: “Both these officers were off duty that day and were just going about their daily business as a family.

“But they spotted someone they knew to be wanted and stepped up in the line of duty.

“Wood’s actions that day were both reckless and ruthless. He was willing to do anything to get away. Both officers were involved in detaining Wood until help arrived.

“Police officers accept that their jobs come with an element of risk but each and every assault on an officer is unacceptable. I commend them both for their tenacity and public duty.”