Man shot cop before fleeing to Northern Ireland, court hears (From Croydon Guardian)

Croydon man Damian Devine shot cop before fleeing to Northern Ireland, court hears

4:16pm Thursday 13th September 2012 in News By Hannah Williamson

A man trying to evade arrest shot a police officer before fleeing to Northern Ireland, a court heard.

Damian Devine of Allder Way, Croydon, is accused of the attempted murder of  PC Wayne Stevens, who was shot in the arm on July 15 last year.

The 27-year-old was allegedly one of three men behaving suspiciously around a block of flats on Kingsdown Avenue, Croydon, that evening.

Kingston Crown Court heard residents' suspicions were aroused after chalk markings were found on the path and wall by the block.

Neil Moore, prosecuting, said police were called by an off duty officer whose wife had seen three males hanging around the block.

Mr Moore said: "The officers approached the men, two of them were stopped and arrested.

"The third however ran off. It was PC Stevens that gave chase and not very long into the pursuit the man turned around and fired a shot at him.

"He was shot in the left arm. The officer stopped but nevertheless the man shot a second shot at him which missed."

Jurors were told mobile phone records placed Mr Devine around Kingsdown Road in the minutes before the shooting.

Mr Devine was arrested at his brother's house in Belfast four days later.

The court heard mobile records also showed Mr Devine travelled from Euston station to Wales, and then on to Northern Ireland on July 16, the day after the shooting.

Mr Moore added: "The prosecution say this is evidence the defendant travelled to Belfast to escape what he had done."

Mr Devine is charged with attempted murder, three counts related to the possession of a firearm and two counts related to the posession of ammunition.

The trial continues.