Simon Mark Johnson has maintained that he never assaulted a prisoner he was arresting following dangerous car chase

A South Australian police officer ‘feared for his life’ when the prisoner he is accused of assaulting almost hit him with his car during a car chase, a court has heard.

A South Australian police officer charged over the assault of a man he was arresting was almost run over by him during a car chase, a court has heard.

Simon Mark Johnson, 38, is standing trial in the District Court over the alleged assault of Lennard Gordon Kennard Ware in October 2019.

Judge Geraldine Davison (R) is seen during a visit to the scene of the assault in Dudley Park. Simon Mark Johnson a STAR Group officer is charged with one count of aggravated assault against someone he was arresting. Picture: David Mariuz

Prosecutor Dr Peter Salu previously told the court that Mr Johnson had slammed Mr Ware’s head into a concrete footpath following his arrest.

David Edwardson KC called on his client Mr Johnson to give evidence as part of the defence case on Wednesday.

Mr Johnson, who is currently suspended but still employed by the South Australian police as a sergeant, said he was almost run over by Mr Ware when deploying road spikes during the car chase.

Simon Mark Johnson leaving the District Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ben Clark

“At this time, I had deployed road spikes and I observed the vehicle being driven by Mr Ware from the right lane three, travelling at speed into the left lane three, towards my direction,” he said.

“This had me in fear for my life, I subsequently withdrew from my location, running backwards to avoid being struck by the vehicle.”

Mr Johnson then outlined his interaction with Mr Ware after the arrest in Dudley Park.

“I squatted down in front of him at that time … I discussed with Mr Ware my opinion of his manner of driving and I said words to the effect of ‘what gives you the right to put my life at risk, what gives you the right to put my officers’ lives at risk, what makes you think your life is better than ours – it’s just stupid behaviour’,” he said.

“Did he respond in any way,” Mr Edwardson asked.

“He said sorry.”

“Did he lift his head at any stage?”

“No, he kept his head down.”

Lennard Ware was allegedly assaulted by South Australian police officer Simon Johnson. Picture: Facebook

Mr Johnson, while being questioned by Mr Edwardson, also said – despite claims by prosecution – that he doesn’t recall asking another police officer to turn off their body-worn camera but he “may have”.

“It may have occurred for the purpose of concealing the identity of STAR group members … the other reason may have been because we don’t record conversations police officers have regarding investigations,” he said.

Mr Edwardson asked Mr Johnson whether he did anything that had been alleged by prosecution.

Mr Johnson, who is currently suspended but still employed by the South Australian police as a sergeant, said he was almost run over by Mr Ware. Picture: David Mariuz

“Did you at any stage, at all, do what’s been alleged in this case that constituted the forcing of his head into the cement surface,” he asked.

“No.”

“Did you see any other person do that or perform that physical act?”

“No.”

The trial continues before a jury.