Police officer feared for life as car knocked him down then sped at him

[Standard Dave]

A POLICE officer feared for his life as a car sped towards him after he was knocked to the floor.

PC Ben Deverill was left on the ground when he was hit as Karim Morris reversed his BMW. The driver then sped away – narrowly missing PC Deverill as he lay on the floor.

Morris has now admitted actual bodily harm and will be sentenced later this month.

PC Deverill and colleague PC Alan Wake had stopped Morris while on a routine patrol in Lenton Boulevard, Nottingham city centre.

When PC Deverill opened the driver's door and showed his warrant card, Morris drove off.

"He suddenly put the car into reverse and drove backwards, hitting my knee, which then forced me under the driver's side door," said PC Deverill.

"The front wheel of the car narrowly missed my head as he sped past. When I saw the wheel heading towards me, I really thought it was the end of my life.

"Morris' actions caused me to receive a laceration to my knee, swelling, muscle damage, a grazed back, an injured elbow and concussion."

PC Deverill had to take a month off work recovering from his injuries after the incident, on February 18 this year.

He said the incident showed the danger he and his colleagues faced in the line of duty.

"As a police officer, we are here to protect the public but sometimes our role can have risks," he said. "This case shows the danger some police officers encounter and although it has affected me significantly, it has not deterred me from carrying on as a police officer and reducing crime in Nottingham."

Morris, 27, of St Ann's Valley, St Ann's, was later arrested and last week pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm at Nottingham Crown Court. He was given bail by Judge Jonathan Teare but was told he could still face being sent to prison when he is sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on July 15

Police officer feared for life as car sped at him

[pgg]

Should have shot the son of a bitch.... oh wait, never mind

[Odd]

There are a few aspects of this story that strike me...if you'll endure some civilian observation.

He's out on bail. This isn't attempted homicide? What's the sentence guideline?

I hadn't considered a scenario where the door could be used as a hook. Now that I have thought about it someone using a door, along with quick reversing as a weapon, seems right up there with a gun. Add another line on the list of reasons why motorists don't understand why opening the door to get out isn't taken as friendly.

Damn glad PC Deverill is ok.

[Aegis]

Standard Dave,

What is the "warrant card" mentioned in the article?

"When PC Deverill opened the driver's door and showed his warrant card, Morris drove off."

[Tango Zulu 22]

A warrant card is a UK Police ID card.

It relates to us holding the Queens Warrant as Officers of the Crown

[Aegis]

Thanks.

Thats what it seemed to indicate from the article, but the way we use the term "warrant" here is different enough that I wanted to be sure.

[Tango Zulu 22]

We have those here too, arrest, search etc. but IIRC you have Warrant Officers in the Armed Forces in the US as we do here which is a similar use of the term.

[Motorwaycop]

The officer was obviuosly plain clothes, we will usually produce our warrant card/badge to identify ourselves as police in such circumstances.

[Captain America]

I'm glad to hear P.C. Deverill was not anymore seriously injured then he was. I was going to ask about the "warrant card" myself. I had a vision of the officer holding up a yellow card like a referee in soccer....er make that "football". You see, I am making a good faith effort to communicate with you buggers in your own language.