Driver jailed after ramming police car during chase

A driver who seriously injured an officer when he rammed into a police car has been jailed.

Gerard McDonagh, 21, reversed a Land Rover Freelander into the vehicle at speed while he was being pursued by PC James Yeoman in Leicestershire in November 2022.

PC Yeoman was left with serious injuries to his leg, back, neck and arm and had to undergo months of treatment, Leicestershire Police said.

McDonagh was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and driving offences.

Police said PC Yeoman followed the Freelander, which was displaying false plates, along the M1 after it was picked up on the automatic number plate recognition system.

The officer continued to follow McDonagh as he exited the motorway and drove into Markfield and on to a country lane.

Dashcam footage released by the force shows the Freelander abruptly stopping before reversing quickly into the police car, causing the airbags to be deployed.

McDonagh drove off and was arrested nearby but after being released on bail, he failed to return to the police station.

A warrant was subsequently issued and he was arrested again in May this year, police said.

McDonagh, of Whittington Drive in Ratby, was charged with driving without insurance, failing to surrender to bail, driving while disqualified, dangerous driving, criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker.

He pleaded guilty to all charges.

He was sentenced to a total of 10 months in prison and banned from driving for two years and five months.

A 22-year-old woman who was arrested during the incident remains under investigation for assisting an offender and for perverting the course of justice, the force said.

Det Con Joe Mulvany, the investigating officer, said: "McDonagh has shown no remorse for his actions and even during the investigation he failed to answer bail and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

“Due to that unfortunately the judicial process was delayed. We are pleased that he has now admitted his crimes and been sentenced."

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