Man jailed for using vehicle as a weapon against MPS officer
A man has been jailed after deliberately driving his car at and injuring an officer from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).
Nsimba Malungo, 29, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, October 16 to a total of three years in prison after pleading guilty to actual bodily harm, dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice at an earlier hearing.
Officers from the MPS North East Area Taskforce had attempted to stop a vehicle being driven through Ilford in April. As they approached the car, Malungo drove off, striking one of the officers and carrying him on the bonnet for a short distance. The officer sustained a head injury and was taken to hospital for treatment.
The details of the car were circulated and it was located about a mile away in Ilford. Officers established that the registered keeper of the car was Malungo.
As efforts were made to locate him, Malungo called police and claimed that his car had been stolen; a story backed up by a friend. However, through a series of forensic work including CCTV analysis officers were able to disprove this.
Malungo was subsequently arrested on April 28 and charged the following day.
Detective Sergeant Colin Stow of the East Area Command Unit led the investigation and said: “This was a shocking incident which could have had devastating consequences for the officer involved. Malungo deliberately drove at the officer, using his car as a weapon, in an attempt to evade being detained. A diligent investigation took place which left Malungo with no option but to admit his guilt.”
North East Area Taskforce Chief Inspector Billy Bowen-Long, said: “Day-in, day-out, officers from the Met’s Taskforce are out on the streets, operating in some of the most contentious and dynamic situations and often putting themselves in harm’s way.
“In this instance, it is only by sheer luck that this officer was not more seriously injured. However, despite being struck and carried by the car, and being hospitalized, he was back at work the following week – a testament to the commitment and drive our Taskforce officers have to keep Londoners safe.
