“We are humans, we have loved ones to return to after each shift:” Heartfelt words of police after man who drove at officer locked up
A man who drove at a police officer in Scarborough to evade arrest has been locked up for 14 months.
Harrison Douglas Long, 35, was sentenced for dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance at York Crown Court on September 10.
Long, of no fixed address, who was wanted by another police force, was spotted driving a white van by officers in Scarborough.
An officer in an unmarked car followed him into a courtyard area off Somerset Terrace where he ordered him to stop his vehicle.
On seeing the uniformed officer, instead of complying with the order to stop, Long drove towards the officer and his car, narrowly missing him, before trying to squeeze between the officer’s car and a member of the public’s car.
As he drove, he pushed one car across the car park, damaging it in the process, and damaged one side of the unmarked police car.
Long left the area and thought he had evaded the police. However, Roads Policing officers tracked him to another vehicle in which he was a passenger. They stopped the car in the village of Crambeck, off the A64 near Malton, where he was arrested.
He was subsequently charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance. He was remanded in custody to appear at York Magistrates’ Court on 29 July where he pleaded guilty to all offences.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Alfie Thomlinson of Scarborough CID, said: “Long made a significant attempt to get away from a police officer carrying out his lawful duty. The 14-month custodial sentence and two-year driving ban is a welcome outcome.
“Let it be a message to anyone else who thinks that police officers are just a uniform. We are human, we have loved ones to return home to after each shift, and we will not tolerate dangerous behaviour like this from anyone.
“Not to mention the cost to the innocent member of the public whose car he hit.
“Thankfully, the officer involved escaped injury, but it could have ended very differently that day.”