A motorcyclist in a “red mist” of rage deliberately mowed down an off-duty police officer injuring them both, a court heard.

Adam Ashman allegedly sped the dirtbike towards Marc Root, while performing a wheelie, in Cornwallis Avenue, Folkestone.

The 26-year-old denies attempted grievous bodily harm and has gone on trial this week at Canterbury Crown Court.

Ashman is said to have accelerated on the pavement with such speed it spun Mr Root around knocking him over.

Meanwhile the defendant, who wasn’t wearing a helmet, was flung through the air, hit a lamppost and landed in a gutter, jurors were told on Tuesday.

Mr Root suffered a sprained ankle and Ashman was treated for concussion, following the alleged incident in July 2020.

The court heard Ashman, during a row, aimed his bike in Mr Root’s direction, and began to rev the engine.

“I said to him something similar to ‘don’t be stupid’ … he then accelerated the motorcycle directly towards me,” he told jurors.

“My split second reaction was maybe that he was trying to intimidate me, maybe he would brake, maybe he would divert his course.”

Asked how he reacted, Mr Root said: “I didn’t have time to move, I realised he was going to collide with me and so I lifted my right leg up to try and potentially lessen the impact, the motorcycle then connected with the sole of my right foot.

“The connection was sufficient to spin me around onto the floor - the first I’d realised I was on my back facing the other way.

“I felt a very sudden and sharp pain in my right ankle.”

The altercation was triggered after Ashman was allegedly knocked over by an unknown motorist in a silver car.

He waved down officers in a patrol car who began searching the area, with Ashman riding his bike, which wasn’t roadworthy, conducting his own search.

Ashman came across Mr Root and Martin Murray, who were unconnected with the alleged crash, when tempers became frayed, the court heard.

“Marc Root and the defendant didn't know each other, and the prosecution’s case is this was an incident where essentially a red mist came over the defendant in a moment of rage,” prosecutor Shannon Revel said in her opening to jurors.

She explained it is the prosecution’s job to prove Ashman “intended to cause Mr Root really serious harm.”

Ashman, of Morehall Avenue, stands trial for attempting to cause Marc Root grievous bodily harm.

Represented by Gerard Pitt, Ashman is yet to argue his case however, he is expected to argue he lost control of his bike and accidentally hit Mr Root.