Driver Jailed for Driving Car at Female Police Officer

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Vehicle came at her when she was trying to stop him escaping

A 22 year-old Hackney man, Michael Oluwafemi Adenibi, has been sentenced to two years in jail for actual bodily harm, or ABH and drink driving after he drove a vehicle at a policewoman who had attempted to stop him on the Shepherd's Bush Road.

Adenibi was previously found guilty of ABH by jury at Isleworth Crown Court on 19 March. He had earlier pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

Adenibi was also driving without a valid licence and without vehicle insurance.

The court heard how just after 3.30pm on October 2 2014, Adenibi was driving a red Ford Focus along Castelnau towards Hammersmith Bridge. Officers from Hammersmith and Fulham were conducting vehicle checks at the time as part of the Met-wide Operation Cubo - the initiative set up to tackle uninsured drivers.

As Adenibi approached the checkpoint, two officers indicated for him to pull over. He initially looked as though he was going to comply, but then veered around the officers and the central traffic island, and sped away on the wrong side of the road against oncoming traffic.

The officers saw that Adenibi had entered the Hammersmith one-way system in the wrong direction. It was deemed too dangerous to follow in pursuit as it would have meant driving into three lanes of oncoming traffic.

Footage of the Incident

 

Adenibi's details were circulated across the radio system for local units to stop the vehicle. At the same time, an unmarked police car with three officers on board, including PC Sue Thomson was making its way south along Shepherd's Bush Road. The officers, who were using blue lights and sirens, saw the Ford Focus coming towards them. They stopped, blocking the path of the vehicle.

The officers got out and went to try and stop the Focus. At this point Adenibi drove onto the pavement behind a telephone box causing pedestrians to jump out of the way, before rejoining the carriageway.

As he did so, PC Sue Thomson had moved around to the front of her vehicle to try and get Adenibi to stop. Adenibi ignored her orders to stop, and drove straight at her, knocking her about two metres into the air. Police estimate he was driving between 20 and 30mph.

PC Thompson landed on the bonnet of a VW Polo before falling onto the road. She was knocked unconscious and suffered concussion. Officers surrounded the car and arrested Adenibi.

Adenibi was subsequently charged and appeared before Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on October 4 and remanded into custody.

PC Thompson said: "I will never forget what happened that afternoon and I know how lucky I was not to be more seriously injured, but the emotional consequences have surprised me with their depth and longevity.

" On a positive note I will always remember the love and support of my family, friends and colleagues both on the day and the months since. They have all been amazing and I am hugely proud to have them on my side."

 

May 11, 2015