A man has been charged with attempted murder after a police officer was left fighting for his life following a hit-and-run.

Christopher Burnham, 48, was left with a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain and a shattered knee after trying to stop a Mini in Coventry.

The officer remains in a critical condition in hospital and was unable to recognise his wife, following the incident at around 2.45pm on Wednesday.

Tekle Lennox, 37, has been charged with attempted murder, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance, confirmed police on Sunday.

He is due to appear before Coventry Magistrates Court on Monday.

Father-of-two, Pc Burnham, has worked for West Midlands Police for 25 years but it is unknown whether he will be able to return to the force.

Chief Superintendent Mike O’Hara, who described Pc Burnham as ‘very well-regarded’ by colleagues, said he faces a ‘long road to recovery’ and is expected to stay in hospital for months.

Speaking the day after the attack, he said: ‘It’s too early to say whether he can return to service. He is receiving 24-hour-care and can’t eat or drink.

‘The bobbies who were with him thought he would die at the scene.

‘Risks to police officers doing their duty are getting greater by the day.

‘His wife has been to see him but he doesn’t recognise her. He hasn’t been able to assist the investigation. His ten-year-old son is off school today.’

Pc Burnham is the second neighbourhood policeman is the second officer from the force to be run over while on duty in just a matter of weeks.

Pc Gareth Phillips, 42, suffered life-changing injuries, including a shattered pelvis, after he was struck by a thief in a hijacked BMW in Birmingham last month.

Mubashar Hussain has admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent to resist arrest, after pinning the traffic officer under his own vehicle.

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