A CLEEVE Prior man has been jailed for 10 years after he was found guilty of ‘deliberately’ driving into a policeman in Evesham.
Michael Ronald Park, 45, of Evesham Road, Cleeve Prior, was found guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday.
Park had previously pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road accident, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and using a motor vehicle on a road without insurance.
It follows an incident in Oat Street on February 7 when when PC Paul Buffery and a colleague were on foot patrol in the town.
The officers saw Park, known as Bobby, driving a car and, knowing him to be disqualified, PC Buffery stood in the road indicating for Mr Park to stop the car.
Park then purposely drove the car at PC Buffery knocking him to the ground, causing minor injuries to his legs, shoulder and head.
Following a trial, the jury found Park guilty of deliberately driving at PC Buffery with the intention of causing personal injury, and then failed to stop after the collision.
He was sentenced to ten years in prison and has been disqualified from driving for seven and a half years.
West Mercia Police Policing Commander for South Worcestershire, Kevin Purcell, said: “Our officers work hard to protect our local communities and the most vulnerable from harm.
“PC Buffery is a dedicated officer who is well respected in the Evesham community and was deliberately injured whilst doing his duty to protect local people.
“I would particularly like to express my thanks to him for his bravery in trying to protect other road users from the risks presented by a disqualified driver, and to the members of the public who supported our investigation and helped us secure this conviction.”
