Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
Headline: Man jailed following collision that left officers injured
A driver who seriously injured two police officers in a road traffic collision after losing control of a sports car on a bend has been jailed.
Mohammed Shaikh, 48 (15.12.69) of Amberden Avenue, N3 was sentenced to a total of three years and four months’ imprisonment at Harrow Crown Court on Thursday, 22 February.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving on Tuesday, 16 January.
He was sentenced to a further four months for failing to provide a specimen, to run concurrently, and he has been disqualified from driving for a total of six years and three months, and will be required to take an extended driving test upon his release.
On 17 December 2017 at 03:40hrs, two officers from Brent Borough – PC Christopher Appleton and PC Samantha Clark – were carrying out an area search to trace a suspect who had decamped from a vehicle to the north-side of the A406.
The two officers were on a footpath adjacent to the North Circular Road when a white Maserati, driven by Shaikh, travelling eastbound towards Brent Cross, came around the left hand bend and mounted the footway. He collided with another vehicle and the two officers; PC Appleton was struck first while PC Clark was trapped between the vehicle and a house.
Colleagues from Brent Borough responded and PC Clark was removed from beneath the vehicle before both officers were taken to hospital.
Shaikh was arrested at the scene and taken to a north London police station, with the investigation being led by the Roads and Transport Policing Command (RTPC).
He was charged on 18 December 2017, with two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and one count of failing to provide a specimen of breath, and was remanded in custody.
Both of the officers were critically injured, sustaining multiple fractures and internal bleeding.
Superintendent Andy McNaughton, Acting Borough commander for Brent, said: “Shaikh’s dangerous driving led to a collision with two of my officers who sustained serious injuries.
“Were it not for the actions of their colleagues at the scene, their injuries may well have proved fatal. Sam and Chris are exceptional officers who have demonstrated extraordinary courage.
“They have had extensive surgery and are on a long and painful rehabilitation programme. They are both fully committed to getting back to work which speaks volumes of their character. With the support of their families and colleagues I have no doubt they will achieve this.
“Police and other emergency services routinely deal with road traffic collisions where people have been injured, but this was particularly harrowing for the officers who attended to their injured colleagues.
“Shaikh was swiftly arrested, and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. The sentence handed down reflects the severity of the collision and the injury caused.”