The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Man drove wrong way on parkway
Bravery of PCSO who stopped dangerous driver praised by Crown Court judge
A PCSO who bravely ran along a Peterborough parkway chasing a car travelling the wrong way driven by Tahir Khalil, before pulling the keys from the ignition, could be given an award for her courage.
A PCSO who bravely ran along a Peterborough parkway chasing a car travelling the wrong way, before pulling the keys form the ignition could be given an award for her incredible courage.
Sallie Lunness (43) chased after the Toyota Corolla on the Fletton Parkway after driver Tahir Khalil (46) of Gladstone Street had carried out a U-turn in the middle of the road.
She became pinned against a lorry as she ran along the carriageway - which has a 70mph limit - before reaching through the driver’s window and removing the keys from the ignition, stopping the car and preventing a potentially devastating accident.
Now Judge David Farrell has said she should be rewarded for her actions after Khalil pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to give a sample of breath.
Khalil pleaded guilty to the two offences at a hearing at Peterborough Crown Court last week.
PCSO Lunness - who has been a PCSO since 2005, had been driving to work at about 7.30am on June 3 when she came across the incident.
Dashcam footage, taken from a lorry which was one of the first vehicles on the scene, shows PCSO Lunness approaching Khalil’s car.
Shesaid: “Iinitially thought there had been an accident, as I saw the car facing sideways, and I called for an ambulance.
“Then I realised what had happened. I put my car in front of him so he could not move and went to speak to him.
“But then he pulled away and started going through traffic.
“I’ve seen horror stories on the news, and been to incidents with the job, and I ran after him.
“I was more concerned about what could happen to others than what could happen to me.
“Traffic had stopped, and he was making his way through it. I was banging on his window, but he kept on driving.
“I went round to the drivers side - I could feel the lorry on my back, it was so close.
“Luckily his window was open a couple of inches, and I could reach in and take the keys.
“I think he had missed his turning, and decided to go back to take it.”
Despite the potential consequences, PSCO Lunness who takes the route every day to work, and was suffering from a cold at the time - said she would not hesitate to do the same thing again.
She said: “I didn’t think about what I was doing - you just get on and do it.
“When I got home, my partner said I was an idiot. My colleagues all said I did the right thing though.
“I think it hit me a bit later that I could have been hurt, but I would do it again.”
Judge Farrell said consideration should be given to giving PCSO Lunness a commendation at the sentencing hearing next month.
He added: “This was an extremely brave act by the PCSO - she helped avoid what could have been an extremely serious multi-fatal accident. If someone had collided with the car at 70mph the consequences could have been horrendous.”
Khalil was given bail until a sentencing hearing next month.
Laura Stephenson, defending asked for a pre-sentence report and medical reports looking at Khalil’s blood pressure to be written.
She said: “There have been enquiries made with his GP about if blood pressure may have contributed to the offence.”
The case was adjourned for sentencing, with the court initially setting a hearing to take place at some point during the week commencing Monday, August 14.
Miss Stephenson requested the sentencing take place on either Monday, August 14 or Tuesday, August 15 as Khalil was going on pilgrimage on the Wednesday, and had paid for flights and accommodation.
Judge David Farrell agreed to the request - but warned Khalil he may not be able to go on the trip.
He said; “The custody threshold is plainly passed. He is a dangerous driver.
“He could have killed someone.”
Granting Khalil bail, Judge Farrell said: “In adjourning this case and ordering a presentence report and granting bail, I am not giving any promises or indications that you will not go to prison.
“The custodial threshold has been passed.”
Khalil was banned from driving until the sentencing hearing, when the full length of the disqualification will be imposed.