Soft justice fury after man drags PC with his car but walks free
A POLICE chief has blasted “soft and perverse” sentencing after a driver who dragged an officer 200 yards with his car was spared jail – just weeks after the murder of PC Andrew Harper.
Jamie Williams drove off with a policeman hanging from his car window, causing multiple injuries to the officer.
But after the 23-year-old walked free from court, John Apter, national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, criticised the justice system for failing to protect officers.
He said: “Time and time again we see soft and perverse sentences being handed to those who attack and assault police officers. This is unacceptable.
Assault
“An assault on a police officer is an assault on society and we must show, in the strongest terms, that this will not be tolerated.”
Police stopped Williams after seeing him pull out of a tight junction “at speed” in Thornton Heath, south London, in August 2018, Croydon Crown Court heard.
But as he was being questioned, Williams got back in his dark grey Mercedes and drove off – with a police officer hanging out the car window trying to stop his escape. Williams sped away before reversing and crashing into a police car.
He took off again, despite the efforts of other police officers to stop the car, with the officer still clinging on.
The 26-year-old officer eventually had no choice but to let go and threw himself from Williams’s car.
He was taken to hospital and treated for severe grazing and a broken wrist. Although he has since returned to work, he is still suffering from the effects of his injuries, according to the Metropolitan Police.
The sentencing comes soon after newlywed police officer Andrew Harper was killed while investigating a burglary in Berkshire last month.
PC Harper, 28, was dragged underneath a vehicle and might also have been hit by a police car.
Jed Foster, 20, has been charged with PC Harper’s murder.
Mr Apter added: “Police officers who are victims of assault want to see justice.
“They want to feel supported by the wider criminal justice system but sadly at this time they don’t feel they have that support.
“Until they do, officers will continue to feel underprotected and under-valued, with criminals laughing in the face of justice.”
Williams, of Croydon, south London, was this week handed an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and a two-year driving ban after pleading guilty to assault, criminal damage and dangerous driving in July.
A compensation order was made for £3,500 to be paid to the officer.
Williams must obey a curfew between 9pm and 6am for six months and has been ordered to complete 150 hours of community service within the next 12 months.
He must also pass an extended driving exam before he is allowed back on the roads.