A man accused of murdering a police motorcyclist by ramming him off the road with a stolen car was contemptuous when the vehicle's owner rang him on his mobile phone, a court has heard.

Eric Allen's phone was still inside his Peugeot, which was taken from a garage forecourt in Perry Barr, Birmingham in October last year.

Nottingham Crown Court heard Nicholas Walters, 22, later used the car to pursue PC Malcolm Walker, running him off the road.

Mr Walters, of Villa Road, Lozells, Birmingham, denies a charge of murder and of stealing a car.

PC Walker had 21 years experience on the force

Mr Allen told Nottingham Crown Court how his Peugeot was stolen as he stopped at the Q8 petrol station in Perry Barr to buy cigarettes.

The security guard was coming out of the forecourt shop when he saw his car, which he had left with its engine running, being driven away.

Mr Allen told the court how he flagged down a passing driver and gave chase, but lost sight of his car.

After being dropped at his home, he called the police.

He then rang his own mobile phone which he had left in his car.

Mr Allen said: "Somebody answered the phone and I just said, 'Who's this?'"

The security guard told the court Mr Walters replied: "Hey batty boy what do you want, you and your police friends?" before hanging up.

'Without remorse'

Prosecutor Stephen Linehan QC said the reply showed Mr Walters was "completely without remorse" and that his words demonstrated his hostility and contempt towards the police in general.

The court had been told Mr Walters was later flagged down by Mr Walker in a bus lane on Aldridge Road.

Walters then turned the car round and pursued the officer, before ramming Mr Walker's motorbike, hurling him into the air.

The father of four landed on a concrete bollard with such force it was uprooted, killing him almost instantly.

The jury heard Mr Allen picked out Mr Walters as the man who had stolen his car.

The case continues.