Thief Jailed for Running Over Policeman
07/22/04 - By Pat Clarke - PA News, LondonA thief was jailed for a total of 15 years today for trying to murder a policeman by running him down with his own patrol car.
Pc. Guy Miller gave chase to Ricky Hales when he sped through a police checkpoint on a stolen motorcycle last December.
The 20-year –old – who has never held a driving license – hit speeds of up to 150 mph along with M25 and M20 in Kent while trying to outrun the traffic officer’s Volvo squad car.
Hales eventually left the motorway at West Mailing and abandoned the motorbike.
Pc Miller, 34, continued the chase on foot, and managed to get one handcuff on Hale’s wrist, before slipping.
Hales ran back to the police car and reversed over the married father of three as he tried to stop him from driving away, leaving him critically injured, the court heard.
Hales, of Chilton Grove, Deptford, south-east London, was convicted of attempted murder at Maidstone Crown court last month and remanded to be sentenced at the Old Bailey today.
Judge Warwick McKinnon told Hales that Pc. Miller was fortunate not to have lost his life.
"Those who act like a desperado as you did and commit serious acts of violence on officers doing their duty will feel the full force of the law bear down on them."
Judge McKinnon said that Pc. Miller had relentlessly followed Hales.
He said, "When you managed to get away from him you retraced your steps and got into his police car and continued your escape.
"What happened next was a ruthless and callous act of cruelty.
"You ran at the police officer, grievously injuring him, intending to kill him in order to escape.
"As a result, the officer did not regain consciousness for nearly two months and was in the hospital for six months with grievous injuries."
Hales had denied intending to run over the officer. He admitted aggravated vehicle-taking and handling stolen goods.