Jail for ‘dangerous’ man who seriously injured police officer by reversing into him

A MAN who seriously injured a police officer by backing into him to avoid arrest has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Joseph Ward, 24, of Green Street, Royston, Hertfordshire, was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 1 February).

He had previously pleaded guilty to 14 felonies, including assault while posing as a police officer, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

On 1 July 2022, Inspector Tony McGovern from the Violent Crime Taskforce was on a motorcycle patrol in Haringey when he became aware of a car being driven by Ward at the junction of Upton Road and Woolmer Road.

Insp. McGovern was suspicious of the driver’s behavior and spoke to Ward through his driver’s side side window after the car came to a stop.

Ward then suddenly pulled forward and immediately rammed backwards into Insp McGovern before driving away at high speed.

Insp McGovern called other officers for urgent help and was taken to hospital with injuries to his legs, shoulders and back.

Today, following Ward’s conviction, the Metropolitan Police Service released footage of the ramming.

Check out the ramming attack below:

Regarding the incident, Inspector Tony McGovern said: “I have been a police officer for 18 years and never expected to be intentionally rammed off my motorcycle in an act of such violence and aggression.

“I continue to recover from the injuries I sustained that day but remain committed to serving the people of London and removing violent and dangerous criminals from the streets.”

An urgent investigation was launched after the incident, and Ward was identified as the driver.

Officials found he was wanted for a criminal offense as early as 23 June 2022 when he posed as a police officer and demanded money from another driver at Eade Road, N4.

After a complex manhunt, Ward was later arrested on 20 July 2022 in Letchworth, Hertfordshire.

Investigators later linked him to two other offences, including on July 5, 2022, when he was involved in a collision at Crouch Hill and on July 6, 2022, when he failed to stop for police at Goat Lane in Enfield and two police cars damaged.

As a result of the overwhelming evidence gathered by investigators and after consultation with prosecutors, Ward was charged on July 21, 2022 with 14 separate felonies.

Detective Chief Superintendent Lee Hill, who heads the Violent Crimes Task Force, said: “Joseph Ward is a dangerous man and I have no doubt he would have committed other crimes.

“I am delighted that he has been sentenced to imprisonment and I commend Tony for his outstanding courage.”

He added, “Our officers work tirelessly to protect the public from violent crime and we will never tolerate any form of attack on emergency responders whose job it is to protect the public.”