Man jailed after driving 700m with police officer on their vehicle
Reece Wheeler, 24, was driving a vehicle believed to be linked to drug dealing when he was stopped by officers on proactive patrol
A man who drove off at high speed whilst an officer was clinging on the car has been jailed.
Reece Wheeler, 24, was driving a vehicle believed to be linked to drug dealing when he was stopped by officers on proactive patrol.
An officer, who is referred to as ‘PC R’, and his colleagues spotted the car in Sundon Road, Houghton Regis and approached the stationary vehicle on foot.
‘PC R’ was attempting to detain the driver when the vehicle sped off at such a speed that the officer had no option but to cling to the car for more than 700 metres.
Intent on stopping the car, ‘PC R’ managed to remove the keys and engage the steering lock while the vehicle was moving at speeds of up to 60mph, causing it to lose speed and crash.
The officer bravely kept hold of the suspect and managed to arrest him on his own until backup arrived.
Last Wednesday (9 October), Wheeler, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court to four years in prison, after he was found guilty of GBH without intent, handling stolen goods and dangerous driving.
He also received a five-year driving ban.
At Bedfordshire Police’s annual force awards ceremony held in the summer, ‘PC R’ was presented with the PC Jon Henry Shield for his heroic actions during this incident. The prestigious award was presented in memory of PC 5584 Jon Henry, who was murdered in the line of duty in 2007.