A HEROIC police officer who wrestled a heroin dealer to the ground has been praised by a judge.

Gloucester Crown Court heard on Thursday how the officer - PC Matthew Cockle - chased and grappled with George Belger after a pursuit in Stroud.

During the scuffle, Belger punched the officer in the face and hit his arm as he tried to escape.

Belger, 37, whose last address was Nouncells Cross, Stroud but who has been on remand at HMP Hewell, was jailed for two-and-a-half years after he admitted assaulting an emergency worker and possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply.

The court heard that on August 21, 2020 PC Cockle was on patrol in Stratford Road when he saw a VW Golf in the car park and became suspicious when Belger got in the back.

The vehicle was stopped in Slad Road and the occupants were told they would be searched.

Belger ran off and was chased by PC Cockle, who grabbed hold of his clothing to slow him down.

The court heard how Belger punched the officer's jaw and began hitting his arm but despite this, the officer kept hold of him.

Prosecutor Lucy Taylor said PC Cockle wrestled with the suspect, pinning him to the ground before he threw his mobile phone into a puddle.

When Belger was arrested he was found to have £295 in cash while diamorphine valued at £160 and crack worth £120 was found in a bag in his boxer shorts.

Messages indicting drug dealing were found on the phone.

Steven Young, defending, said: “Belger was addicted to Class A drugs and was selling drugs to pay for his habit.

“One central point is the delay in bringing this case to court. Guidelines state where there has been an unreasonable delay, and this was not the defendant’s fault, the court may take this into account by reducing the sentence."

He added that Belger was now clean as he had been in custody.

The court heard the delays were due to the pandemic, the unit investigating the case being disbanded and Belger being charged by post.

Judge Recorder Ignatius Hughes praised PC Cockle saying: “I would ask that my congratulations are passed onto the officer for his brave work in tackling Belger in the way he did.”