PC lucky not to lose foot after ‘selfish’ disqualified driver crushed her legs
A man who drove at a Staffordshire Police officer as she prevented him crashing into runners taking part in a road race has been jailed for 12 years.
Gurajdeep Malhi, 26, deliberately drove at Police Constable Claire Bond in an attempt to evade arrest on September 23, 2018.
Stafford Crown Court heard that PC Bond was trapped between Malhi’s BMW and a garden fence as she tried to get him to stop, breaking her left leg in two places and her right knee. She was dragged several metres and flung to the floor as his car sped away.
She is still undergoing surgery and therapy and is yet to return to work after the incident in the Coton Fields area of Stafford.
Malhi was sentenced to a total of 12 years ninemonths on Monday (September 2) – with consecutive sentences of eight years three months for the wounding and four years six months for drugs offences.
He pleaded guilty to wounding PC Bond with grievous bodily harm with intent to resist arrest at an earlier hearing.
Officers had been called following reports a BMW had crashed into garages at the rear of Corporation Street in Stafford.
A number of roads were closed due to the Stafford 10km race taking place that morning and Malhi took off when challenged by PC Bond and a colleague.
Malhi drove at speeds of around 50mph to 60mph over speed bumps and around bends through terraced streets.
He struck a van and a car and drove over paths and gardens, narrowly missing an elderly man on the path, before hitting Stop/Go signs dropped by stewards marshalling the race.
He was heading in the direction of the race and, in an attempt to prevent him reaching the runners, PC Bond told him to stop and tried to get at the ignition key.
Malhi’s BMW swung out trapping PC Bond between a fence and the car. She was then dragged and thrown to the floor. He drove forward and again reversed at PC Bond, who was pulled to safety by her colleague.
Malhi made off, zig-zagging up the road and striking four more cars.After abandoning the BMW, he was spotted in nearby Oxford Gardens being picked up by a woman, later identified as Lucy Bullmore.
After another pursuit across the town the pair were stopped and arrested.
PC Bond has not been able to work since the incident, following surgery and physiotherapy. She suffered a left tibia and fibular fracture with threatened skin, a right knee wound and further bone/cartilage fracture.
The surgeon at The Royal Stoke Hospital said PC Bond was lucky to keep her left foot as it was so badly damaged.
Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Gareth Morgan said: “This case is a more extreme example and I am glad Malhi has been sentenced for his reckless and cowardly actions.
“The impact on Claire physically and emotionally is clear to see and I pay tribute today to her professionalism, courage and determination on the morning she was attacked and in her approach to returning to full health – both for her family and to allow her to return to the job that she loves.
“I look forward to seeing her back at work doing what she does best – serving the public of Staffordshire.”
PC Bond added: “The whole incident has left me not only physically scarred but also emotionally. My legs will never be the same again and I am currently unaware if I will be able to walk, run or ski correctly, let alone return to frontline duties within the police force.
“I’m angry that he’s put me in this position but more importantly I’m sad that the impact it has had on my whole family is huge, not only now but for my future also. I’m determined to return to work, but also to walk unaided, look after my family and be as I was prior to the incident, but whether that is my focus rather than a reality remains to be seen.
“This was a selfish act, by a selfish person, thinking of only themselves. I can only hope that lessons are learnt and this never happens to anyone ever again.”
Malhi also pleaded guilty to driving dangerously in and around Stafford, driving while disqualified in Corporation Street, Stafford, and driving without insurance and failing to stop. On May 15, he also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine.
Bullmore, 31, pleaded guilty to driving dangerously and failing to provide a specimen of breath and failing to stop.
She was sentenced to two years in prison.
