A Radlett man who dragged a police officer with his car and ‘narrowly’ missed running him over was jailed for 12 months today (August 23).
Paul Lambert, 38, dragged the policeman with him as he reversed out of a lay-by in Brook Road, Borehamwood, causing an injury to his knee, St Albans Crown Court heard.
Steven Attridge, prosecuting, said the officer pulled up in a marked police van, having spotted Lambert, who was wanted for a bail offence.
He said: “Hello mate. What’s your name?”
Lambert replied: “Sorry mate, I have got to go.”
The officer tried to take hold of the car keys, but Lambert grabbed his arm and reversed causing injury to the officer’s knee.
He drove forward but hit the kerb and stalled. The officer, who had called for assistance, made another attempt to get the keys. Again, Lambert reversed, narrowly missing him, before speeding off.
Other officers saw him on Elstree Way, Borehamwood with a woman in the passenger seat. He drove towards a police vehicle, swerving at the last minute and knocking over a post.
Lambert ignored the police’s blue flashing lights and continued dangerously along Studio Way and Rowley Lane, travelling at over 50mph in a 30 zone.
The pursuing officer lost sight of him, but he was arrested on a pub bench around two hours later at about 8pm on Wednesday, June 19. When he was handcuffed, he said: “I have got a heart condition.”
He claimed he had been waiting outside his doctor’s surgery and drove off because he thought he was going to be the victim of a car-jacking.
Lambert, of Willow Way, Radlett, appeared for sentence having pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and assault on an emergency worker. He had four previous convictions for 10 offences.
Defending, Daniel Murray said Lambert had spent the night in his car for safety reasons, having received threats from other people in the hostel where he had been staying.
He said Lambert, who had mental difficulties and had undergone open heart surgery, had parked his car close to his doctor’s surgery.
“He is very sorry for what he did,” said Mr Murray.
Judge Caroline Wigin jailed him, saying: “For a short period of time, you put a police officer who was exercising his duty at very direct risk.
“I understand you were under stress, but such actions are taken very seriously by the court.
“The only sentence is one of immediate custody.”
The judge also banned him from driving for two years six months and said he must take a retest before he can regain a licence.
Should have got longer he is a compulsive liar who had a heart operation at least 3 years + . And he assaulted 2 people one being his mother and smashed up her house …such a nice person. Throw away the key needs mental help.