A Suffolk police officer who says he was assaulted while his body worn camera was turned off has given evidence to a court.

Lenny Duberry of Heather Avenue, Ipswich, has denied assaulting an emergency worker on March 2, 2022.

PC Ford of Suffolk Constabulary said he was with two other officers looking for a suspect of domestic violence in Campbell Road but could not find him at the expected address.

After failing to arrest anyone he turned off his body worn camera - but later noticed a motorhome with the door ajar, he told Ipswich Crown Court.

He walked up a path to the motorhome and when he got to the door, he said a man in a black coat burst out and pushed past him, so he put his hand on the shoulder of the man.

PC Ford told the court this man then hit him in the eye with the back of his hand without warning and subsequently he arrested and cautioned him.

Duberry is not the man who was accused of domestic violence, but following the caution he allegedly said “you should not have been at my door”.

The defendant, representing himself, suggested to the officer that he was pinned against his motorhome by PC Ford and one of his colleagues, which the officer denied.

He suggested to the officer he asked him “What do you want?” three or four times before he came out of the motorhome.

Duberry questioned the officer why his camera was off and the PC Ford replied that he had turned it off because the arrest he had planned to make had not happened.

The defendant, who is black, further put to the officer: “Is Suffolk and Norfolk police force the most racist police force in the country?”

PC Ford replied: “I can only say in my opinion, no.”

“Well, in my opinion it is,” said Duberry.

PC Ford replied again: “If you are asking me if I am a racist, I am not a racist."

Duberry said: “I think that you are racist, but I cannot prove it. If you had your camera on I could prove it.”

The trial continues.