Driver who left police officer seriously injured jailed

Thursday, 17 January 2019 07:00

A van driver who left a police officer seriously injured after hitting him at speed has been jailed.

Kaine O’Connor, 23, of Fulham Avenue in Manchester, was handed a four year sentence at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday 16 January after pleading guilty to assaulting a police officer and driving offences.

The court heard how police responded to reports of a disturbance at a block of flats on Sandyhill Road in Blackley on Thursday 18 October 2018.

After speaking to people at the address officers left but shortly after they became aware of a black Citroën Berlingo van. The van – that was being driven by O’Connor – had cloned number plates and officers suspected the driver may have been drunk.

Several police vehicles pulled alongside him on Blackley New Road before they approached the van on foot and asked O’Connor to get out of the vehicle.

Instead of stopping for police, he put his foot on the pedal and carried out several aggressive manoeuvres to escape, including driving at a white Audi A3 that had a mother and young child inside.

O’Connor then hit a silver Mercedes A Class before accelerating and mounting the bonnet of the Audi A3, lifting it in the air.

His attempt to escape continued with him reversing into several parked cars and colliding with a concrete wall that collapsed on top of the van.

When an officer drew his taser and again told him to stop, O’Connor reversed into the officer at speed. He pinned him between the van and a police vehicle, causing serious leg injuries.

O’Connor then managed to squeeze the van through a tight gap and fled the scene towards Mill Brow. Meanwhile, the officer was left lying in the road.

The van was later found abandoned on Morlake Drive in Newton Heath and O’Connor was traced to an address nearby where he was arrested.

Detective Constable Terry Macmillan, of GMP’s City of Manchester division, said: “O’Connor was incredibly reckless as he manically drove at anything in his way, showing absolutely no regard for the safety of others.

“The incident unfolded outside a busy nursery at peak time but miraculously no-one else was seriously injured. The mother who was inside the Audi at the time was understandably left incredibly shaken and her child had to be checked over at hospital.

“My thoughts remain with our injured colleague as he recovers from this horrific ordeal at home with his family and I can only commend his incredible bravery throughout this entire process.

“I also want to recognise the innocent people who were sadly caught up in his rampage and those who had to witness it.

“I firmly believe that O’Connor is where he deserves to be – locked away behind bars where he can’t mindlessly hurt anyone else.”

More from Local and National News

City presents Windrush pioneer with prestigious Leeds Award

one of the nation’s last surviving HMT Empire Windrush passengers and the city’s only remaining Caribbean Second World War serviceman received the Leeds Award in a ceremony at the Civic Hall.
More Than 10,000 Arrests Made By Team Dedicated To Reducing Violent Crime

A specialist team working to reduce violent crime has started a New Year by passing a new milestone after making more than 10,000 arrests.
Plate expectations as historic registration could be up for sale

A unique gift exchanged by two former Lord Mayors of Leeds more than 120 years ago could be about to help the city with unprecedented budget challenges.
Calderdale: Celebrating over 350 years of service at Council

Fourteen Calderdale Council employees have been recognised for a combined total of over 350 years of service at an event at Halifax Town Hall on Thursday 26 October.
Activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage sentenced

A group of activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage to a service station on the M25 has been sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (27 October)
Appeal Following Collision and Death of Man in Otley, Leeds

Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision in Leeds in which a man later died.
Vehicle involved in fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire seized by Bradford Council

A vehicle involved in multiple incidences of fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire has been seized by Bradford Council.
Anti-social behaviour funding boost in Clitheroe, Colne and Darwen

As part of the county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour (ASB) Lancashire Constabulary and Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden have announced a further eight areas set to benefit from additional resources to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Lancashire.
Leeds City Council to launch review on taxi vehicle condition standards

Leeds City Council’s Licensing Committee is to embark on a review of vehicle condition standards for hackney and private hire vehicles, following updates to national guidance.
Man Named After Fatal Road Traffic Collision, Leeds Road, Bradford

Police have named the man who died after a road traffic collision on Leeds Road in Bradford last week.
Over £4,000 raised for Mental Health Charity in Bradford

Visitors to the stunning Van Gogh Alive UK exhibition in Bradford donated more than £4,000 to Mind in Bradford.
Bradford Clean Air Zone and the results of traffic flow monitoring

The Bradford Clean Air Zone has been live since September 2022 and is operating to improve air quality in the district by deterring the most polluting vehicles from entering the zone.

Listener Club

Get more with the Listener Club!

Legal Show

Once a fortnight we dedicate a show to discussing legal issues and family / matrimonial law in particular. Alternate Friday mornings between 9am-11pm.
Remix Saturdays

Every Saturday evening we turn to remixes of hit songs to get you in the Saturday night party mood! Every Saturday between 5pm - 8pm
The Golden Era

The golden era of Bollywood celebrated in this weekly show full of classics taking you back in time. Every Sunday between 5pm - 7pm
Alim OnAir

Have you a question about the religious, cultural or tradition aspect of Islam? Then join Hazrat Maulana Fazal Dad in the weekly show every Friday between 8-9pm.